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No. 1 seed Cal State LA is heading back to the CCAA Men's Soccer Tournament title match after earning a 2-0 win over No. 5 Cal State San Marcos on Friday, Nov. 10.
 
This will be the sixth consecutive CCAA Championship match appearance for Cal State LA, which has won five, including the last two.
 
Bryan Ortega put the Golden Eagles (16-1-1) up with a goal in the eighth minute. CSUSM had control possession and created a pair of chances early, but a quick counterattack proved to be the game-winning goal. CSLA gained control of a missed pass in their territory, and CCAA Player of the Year Oliver Diaz quickly got the ball ahead to Ortega. He made a run through three defenders, making a great cutback move late, before hammering a shot into the back of the net. It was his 10th goal of the season. Ortega is one of only two CCAA student-athletes this season to reach double-figure goals.
 
The Cougars' (7-8-5) best chance at an equalizer came in the 32nd minute when Julian Lomeli got a look on goal, but his shot to the top left corner went high. Cal State LA had a good look of its own as the clock wound down in the first half, but Cesar Ruvalcaba's shot went high, and the score remained 1-0 at the half.
 
Twenty minutes into the second half, Carson Nguyen extended the lead. Simon Johansen sent the ball into the box, and a scramble ensued. Carson Nguyen managed to get a foot on the ball and direct it into the net for the insurance goal.
 
Julian Aadlandsvik made three saves for Cal State LA. Jesus Mentado had four for Cal State San Marcos, including a fantastic save in each half to keep the score close.
 
Cal State LA will advance to the CCAA Tournament Championship on Sunday at Noon. They will face the tournament's No. 2 seed, Cal Poly Pomona. These teams will enter the match ranked No. 4 (CSLA) and No. 6 (CPP) in NCAA Division II.