Box score | Postgame press conference

The Cal State LA Golden Eagles are your 2021 Men's Soccer National Champions! Cal State LA made Simon Johansen's goal in the 21st minute hold up for the 1-0 victory over the University of Charleston (WV) for the first national title in program history.
 
Cal State LA deployed a defensive-minded strategy throughout the contest to slow down a potent Charleston attack and took their chances when they were presented. After one corner kick in the 15th minute, Cal State LA seized on a run midway through the half when David Elizaga gained control of the ball at midfield and spun away from his defender.
 
Elizaga found space in front of him and pushed the ball forward before sending a through-ball to Carl Solli at the top of the box. The defense all collapsed on Solli, who had space in front of him for the shot. Unselfishly, he laid it off to Johansen on the right side for the wide-open shot. Johansen did not miss the opportunity and deposited it into the net for what would prove to be the game-winner. 
 
From there, the Cal State LA defense and keeper Alvaro Unanua took over and kept their opponent off the board. Charleston had the majority of the possession throughout the rest of the game, but Cal State LA never bent and definitely didn't break. Charleston never got a clean look on goal, and Unanua was there to stop them when they did. The senior keeper, who transferred from Charleston for this season as a graduate student, finished the game with four saves.
 
This was a rematch of the 2019 NCAA Division II National Championship. That contest went the other direction for Cal State LA with Charleston winning 2-0.
 
Cal State LA was making its third appearance all-time in the national championship match (1981 and 2019).