Guzman Nets Winner In Home Finale As Cal Beats SDSU

Sunday, November 5

Berkeley, CA

2:00 PM

California

7-5-5, 3-3-3

San Diego State

6-6-5, 0-6-3

Team	1	2	Final F
San Diego St.	0	0	0
California	1	0	1

Adrian Guzman celebrates scoring the winner vs. SDSU

Adrian Guzman (No. 11) celebrates his goal, which was assisted by Fernando Lara (No. 21) and Evan Davila (not pictured).

Photo by: Kelley L Cox/KLC fotos

11/5/2023 5:30 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Cal Athletics

BERKELEY - Adrian Guzman scored the game-winning goal in the last regular-season home game of his career, as the California men's soccer team defeated San Diego State, 1-0, Sunday at Edwards Stadium.

Fernando Lara and Evan Davila were credited with assists on the goal, which Guzman scored with two seconds left in the first half.

Cal - which swept its two games against SDSU this season - improved to 7-5-5 (3-3-3 Pac-12). San Diego State is 6-6-5 (0-6-3 Pac-12).

The Bears now have 12 points in conference action and, coupled with No. 19 Stanford's 3-1 loss to UCLA on Sunday, moved ahead of the Cardinal for third place in the standings.

The day began with the Bears honoring their eight graduating Bears – Guzman, Lara, Davila, Nonso Adimabua, Nate Carrasco, Jake Himelstein, Oscar Logevall and Juan Martinez – in the annual Senior Day ceremony.

The conference foes then played a relatively even first half, with the Bears edging SDSU in shots, 8-7.

With less than 10 seconds left in the opening stanza, Davila sent a pass to Lara on the flank, and the midfielder crossed the ball into the box. The unmarked Guzman fired past goalkeeper Logan Erb for his second goal and second game-winning goal of the season.

"I saw he was about to cross, and I just made a run," Guzman said. "The first half was about to end, so I thought I might as well go for a cross. Thankfully it landed right to me, and I put it away. Just thankful to be there and thankful for the cross."

Cal could have doubled its lead on a great chance in the 68th minute, when a long ball by Cal goalkeeper Connor Lambe found the towering Arik Duncan, who headed the ball to fellow 6-4 forward Adimabua. The latter collected the ball in the SDSU box and passed to the onrushing Duncan, who shot just wide of the far post.

SDSU outshot Cal 9-5 in the second half but only put one shot on goal, with Lambe saving that shot – from a Tristan Viviani free kick – in the 70th minute. Lambe, who made five saves in the game, earned his second shutout of the year and lowered his goals-against average to 0.96.

"There was a lot going on on the day, when you have Senior Day and the emotions of that and the magnitude of the game, in terms of us still fighting for postseason play," Cal head coach Leonard Griffin said. "A lot of energy could've been lost on that. But I think we brought it in the right way, and we stepped up and rose to the occasion. For us to get the result against a tough San Diego State team to break down, I'm super proud of the group."

The Bears close the regular season Saturday in the Big Clásico at Stanford.

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