Published 2011-09-20T16:48:00Z”/>

Andrew Delgado

The Wildcats momentum after beating the Toros of Cal State Dominguez Hills ran out of fuel in a losing battle of inches against Cal State L.A. this weekend.

The ‘Cats, who are in the midst of a tough five-game road trip, headed to Toro Stadium Friday to take on undefeated Cal State Dominguez Hills, ranked 14th nationally.

The Toros came into the match with a 4-0 record, all of which were won at home. The ‘Cats came into the game as underdogs.

Coming off the loss the Toros that fell apart in the last minute for the ‘Cats, head coach Kim Sutton told her players to get ready to play and be fired up, she said.

In the sixth minute, the ‘Cats were able to strike first with the help of the Toros, as a corner kick by senior Blake Lopes was deflected off a Toro and passed the goalie for an own goal.

The ‘Cats would prove their true talent in the 19th minute as senior midfielder Lisa Webster was able to find Alyx Williams, who placed a perfectly struck ball just out of the reach of the goalie’s hands and into the back of the net.

Williams’ first collegiate goal put the ‘Cats up 2-0.

In the 21st minute, Webster again delivered by centering the ball in front of the goal for Kasey Wall to deflect and bring the score to 3-0.

Dominguez Hills no longer had home field advantage.

The Toros would get on the scoreboard in the 75th minute off a penalty kick.

Although the ‘Cats were outshot 13 to three, they were able to hold off the Toros to a 3-1 victory and deliver Dominguez Hills its first loss of the season.

The team played with a lot of intensity and it showed with three early goals, Sutton said.

But the stellar performance by the ‘Cats would be short lived as they turned their focus to the Golden Eagles of Cal State L.A. Sunday.

One goal was all that was needed by the Golden Eagles to claim a 1-0 victory and hand the ‘Cats their third loss and bring their overall record to 2-3-1.

The ‘Cats did have a few close calls as Webster hit the crossbar and top of the post missing two would-be goals by inches.

“That is what the game is about,” Webster said. “I was just unlucky.”

Playing two games in 48 hours, fatigue starts to set in and being on the road starts to take its toll, Sutton said.

“Consistency is the key,” she said. “The intensity played with on Friday just wasn’t there. “

The Golden Eagles’ lone goal came earlier in the second half in the 59th minute when a shot was able to beat freshman keeper Brianna Furner.

The ‘Cats were able to muster seven shots with four on goal while the Golden Eagles took eight shots with two on goal.

“We didn’t come out as strong,” Webster said. “Champions win on Sundays.”

Furner was able to clean up the mess around the goal, yet allowed one shot through that would decide the match.

“As a goalie you need to have short term memory and stay strong for the team,” Furner said. “Sunday we were just emotionally tired.”

With two games left before coming back to play at home at the end of the month, the ‘Cats are looking to finish this road trip out strong as they will take on Cal State Monterey Bay Friday at 3 p.m. and Cal State East Bay Sunday at 2 p.m.

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<strong>Andrew Delgado can be reached at</strong>

<em>[email protected]</em>