SAN FRANCISCO –The San Francisco State men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in double overtime Friday afternoon to defending Division II national champion Cal State Dominguez Hills at Cox Stadium. The Gators saw their four-match unbeaten string halted after the Toros' Kevin Gallaugher nailed a penalty shot with just 24 seconds left in the second overtime session.

 

With the defeat, SF State slips to 4-2-1 overall and 1-1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while CSUDH moves to 3-2-1 on the season and 2-1-1 in league play.

 

“It was a very good game against a quality opponent,” said Gator head coach Joe Hunter. “We found our bearings and played well in the second half, but you have to give Dominguez Hills credit. They do not get rattled at all.   We need to play sharper in back, though.”

 

SF State drew first blood when Dylan Glass' (Rancho Cucamonga, California, Alta Loma HS) header off a Wes Whitt (Alpine, California, Cathedral Catholic HS) free kick found the back of the net, giving the host team a 1-0 advantage at the 12:51 mark. Glass' goal was his fifth of the year and moved him into a tie for third place, along with Billy Papadopoulos, on the Gators' all-time list with 23 career tallies. Meanwhile, Whitt's assist gave him 12 for his career, which is tied for third in school history with four other players.

 

The Toros dented the scoreboard shortly before intermission when Greg Piechota gathered a centering pass from Scott Mariano and connected from 10 yards out, knotting the game at 1-1 in the 42^nd minute.

 

SF State had a trio of scoring opportunities in the second half and first extra period but was unable to convert.   In the 65^th minute, Gabriel Chavez (Santa Paula, California, Santa Paula, Ventura College) emerged from a scramble in front of the net, but his attempt drifted just wide of the left post. Meanwhile, a Spencer Schwandt (Napa, California, Vintage HS) shot at the 80:54 mark was also wide of its target. Then in overtime, CSUDH goalkeeper Markus Dickerson snuffed out what proved to be the Gators' final threat after corraling a free kick by Glass in the 95^th minute.

 

The two teams appeared headed for a tie when SF State was whistled for a hand ball near its own goal with just 24 seconds left, setting the stage for Gallaugher's winning kick.

 

The Toros outshot the Gators 23-10, including a 9-4 advantage in attempts on goal, and also maintained a 13-6 edge in corner kicks.

 

Mike McNeill (Oakdale, California, Oakdale HS, Cal State Stanislaus) made six saves in front of the net for SF State, while Dickerson recorded three stops for the visitors.

 

The Gators return to the pitch on Sunday, Sept. 20, when they square off against fourth-ranked Cal State L.A. at Cox Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 11:30 a.m.

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