LOS ANGELES –
Tyler Dhillon scored a golden goal in the second overtime period to give SFU men's soccer a 2-1 win over Cal State LA, spoiling the season-opener for the Golden Eagles Sunday morning on a hot day at University Stadium.
Cal State LA held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but Simon Fraser got the game-tying goal in the 81st minute from
Conrad Cheng and then notched the game winner 4:15 into the second overtime period on a point-blank header off a free kick from about 40 yards out.
The Golden Eagles were playing for the first time since the 2019 NCAA Championship Game and with no fans in the stadium.
Cal State LA took a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute on a beautiful scoring play. Carlos Rincon did the scoring honors after receiving a perfect pass from Gerard Hernando. He broke free from the Simon Fraser defense and was all alone in front and buried his shot to give the Golden Eagles the early lead.
Simon Fraser tied the game in the 81st minute on a stunning goal by
Conrad Cheng, who rifled a shot from outside the box that landed just inside the far post and over a leaping goalkeeper.
In overtime Simon Fraser took advantage of a foul about 10 yards past midfield.
Ali Zohar sent a booming kick toward the goal and
Tyler Dhillon got to it first and headed the ball just inside the near post from point-blank range for the game-winner.
The result was painfully familiar for the Golden Eagles. Cal State LA is now 0-3 all-time against Simon Fraser, all by 2-1 scores, all at University Stadium. Two of the three results came in double overtime, including one in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Cal State LA had a 14-10 edge in shots and a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks. Alvaro Unanua made two saves for the Golden Eagles, including a sensational diving stop on a shot by
Devin O'Hea late in the second half to keep the game tied at 1-1.
Starting his second straight game,
Aidan Bain made five saves for SFU.
SFU, now 1-1, begins the season with nine games on the road. SFU will return to action on Thursday with another road game in Lacey, Wash., against Sonoma State at 3:30 PM. SFU's first home game at the new SFU Stadium at Terry Fox Field is Oct. 14 against Montana State Billings at 7PM.
--@SFU_Athletics---
