Cal State Stanislaus men's soccer falls in NCAAs

The Cal State Stanislaus soccer team had a lot to be proud of in 2015.

The Warriors set a school record for victories, goals and reached the NCAA Tournament.

Those accomplishments, however, provided little relief after Stanislaus saw its season end Thursday night with a 3-0 penalty kick loss to Cal State Los Angeles in a first-round NCAA match in Pomona.

The Golden Eagles and Warriors (15-4-3) played to a 1-1 tie in regulation and overtime before Stanislaus shooters came up short in the match’s PK stage.

The Golden Eagles (12-4-3) beat Stanislaus goalkeeper Russ Klabough three times, the third shot clinching the match. The Warriors had two shots blocked shots and another that sailed high.

“We have been in a few shootouts in the last few years and some times they are kind to you, some times they are not and this one stings,” head coach Dana Taylor said. “To be honest with you it's disappointing to not be going on in the NCAA tournament. I thought we did enough to go on, but L.A. was good tonight, too, and they were the ones who put the ball in back of the net.”

Stanislaus’ Luis Hernandez gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute on a free kick. LA’s Miguel Lara tied it in the 58th minute.

"I thought both teams had some great chances, both keepers came up big and both defense were solid," Taylor said. "It was an evenly matched game and that's why it came down to a shootout in the end."

Klabough finished with six saves as the Warriors’ season ended the same way it did last year – with a 3-0 PK defeat after they played Pomona to a 1-1 tie in regulation and overtime.

"It's sad because nine seniors are no longer on the team,” Taylor said. “(The season) doesn't go far enough but there is only one team that will go far enough every year and that makes you feel second-best.”

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 12:30 AM with the headline "Cal State Stanislaus men's soccer falls in NCAAs."