Sunday, November 17, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - With less than five minutes remaining before a penalty kick shootout, the second-leading scorer in Great Northwest Athletic Conference history came through with a game-winning goal to push Simon Fraser to a 2-1 victory over Cal State L.A. in the Division II men's soccer West Region semifinals Saturday evening in Los Angeles.

Carlo Basso, who moved into sole possession of second place in career points in the GNAC record books this season, knocked in a cross from 2013 GNAC Player of the Year Chris Bargholz as No. 12 Simon Fraser finally broke the tie to advance to the West Region Finals.

Despite outshooting CSU L.A. 17-10, the Clan didn't get on the board until the second half when a long throw in from Colin Jacques was headed in by Jovan Blagojevic. CSU L.A. responded less than 15 minutes later, as a pass by Juan Ochoa at the top of the box found the foot of Jordan Payne to even the score in the 70th minute of the match.

CSU L.A. would only take two more shots for the remainder of regulation, while SFU nearly put the game away on two separate occasions. Alex Rowley, who scored two of the Clan's five goals in the first round of the West Region tournament, fired a shot off of the cross bar in the 82nd minute which nearly put SFU ahead. Less than two minutes later, Rowley put another shot on frame which was saved by CSU L.A. goalkeeper Mike Beigarten.

Beigarten twice denied Rowley in the first overtime period, while SFU goalkeeper Brandon Watson came up with a crucial save on a shot from Sigifredo Torres. Basso fired a shot in the 103rd minute that sailed high, but his aim was true on his second attempt of the period as he knocked home the game-winner just three minutes later.

The Clan will face No. 2 seed UC San Diego, which won its second round match in dramatic fashion with a penalty kick shootout triumph over Chico State. UCSD will be next up for SFU in Denver, Colo. on Nov. 21 or 22.