ARCATA – With almost 30 seconds left on the clock, the visiting Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles scored a dramatic goal for a 2-1 victory over Humboldt State in an epic battle Sunday afternoon. Karen Pontoni broke the five-game scoreless streak for HSU, but the goal wasn't enough to snap the winless drought for the Jacks.

With the loss, Humboldt State remains winless in California Collegiate Athletic Association play (0-8-2), standing at 1-7-2 overall. The No. 24-ranked Golden Eagles improve to 8-2-2, 6-2-2 CCAA, and continues their eight-game unbeaten streak. HSU hits the road for the first of its last two road trips of the season, taking on North Division opponents Cal State East Bay and Cal State Monterey Bay.

"I certainly feel like we played well enough to win," said head coach C.J. Johnson. "It was by-far the most dangerous we've ever played offensively."

Humboldt State hung with Cal State L.A. and created chances, but could not get decent shots on goal in the first half. Andrea Lammers capitalized on a scoring chance for the Golden Eagles in the 24th minute. Janet Mendez sent a cross into the box, finding Lammers' head to put CSULA up 1-0.

The best first-half chance for the Lumberjacks came in the 34th minute when Chelsea LaRue's header shot looked like it would prove to be the equalizer, but a Golden Eagle cleared it off the line for a corner. Carly Kolpin managed to fire a shot off but it was blocked, giving Terri Tigert a chance to shoot a rebound shot, sending it just wide of the goal. 

It was Pontoni, a senior centerback, who would give the Lumberjacks a spark offensively in the 76th minute to tie the game at 1-1. Colette Behen sent a corner into the box, finding Pontoni open near the penalty kick spot. Pontoni slotted the ball past Cal State L.A.'s goalkeeper Jessie Walworth for her first goal of the season—the first time CSULA has given up its lead all season.

"Karen had an outstanding game today," said Johnson. "She had a great goal—something she deserves—and also had a number of great defensive stops to keep us in the game."

Amber Woolcock made a key breakaway stop in the second half to keep the momentum in favor of the Jacks, but couldn't get a hand on the final shot of the game. In dramatic fashion, Justine Telles sent in a free kick to the far side of the net with just 0:31 left on the clock for her first goal of the season.

"It's very unfortunate goal to give up in the last 30 seconds of the game," said Johnson. "That kind of ball has to be saved to keep us in the game. I thought the momentum was going our way and I felt really good about us going into overtime."

The Jacks will look to bounce back and use the momentum they found in this game for their next four games on the road.