ARCATA, Calif.--- The Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks played a complete game, as senior forward Juan Perez lifted a pass from Edgar Gonzalez past goalkeeper Alvaro Unanua with ten minutes remaining in the first half to equalize the score and spoil a victory for no.7 Cal State Los Angeles, as the defending national champion Golden Eagles were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw on Friday afternoon at College Creek Field. The tie marks the first time since 2017 that Humboldt has not been defeated by Los Angeles after a period of three straight losses. Dylan Tovani, Daniel Adeyeye, Edgar Gonzalez, Edgar Castaneda and Nico Herrera Land all had shot attempts for the Jacks as well, while Adrian Gallardo had five saves in goal to anchor Humboldt's defense.

FIRST HALF: The Golden Eagles got on the board early, as LA's Jeppe Paulsen scored 8 minutes into the match to give the visiting team an early 1-0 advantage. The Jacks would continue to play aggressive, as Daniel Adeyeye's shot would be saved by Unanua just a minute later. Tovani would follow up in the 15th minute with a shot of his own that missed wide left. A corner kick at 34:20 set things up for Gonzalez, who passed a beautiful ball to Perez inside the box to score the equalizer for the Jacks. Shots by the Golden Eagles in the 37th and 45th minutes were both denied by Gallardo, as both teams entered the half in a 1-1 stalemate.

SECOND HALF: Cal State LA started the second half with a pair of shot attempts by Paulsen and Manuel Garcia, both of which missed wide. Daniel Garcia's shot at 52:22 was saved by Gallardo as well, as the Golden Eagles started the second half on an offensive rampage. Perez would have a chance to take the lead for the Jacks with his shot attempt at 56:54, but his attempt missed out the top to keep things even at one. Humboldt came frustratingly close to taking the lead when Dylan Tovani's shot attempt in the 76th minute was saved by Unanao, and again at 86:12 when Nico Herrera Land broke free into the open field and his shot attempt was saved by the keeper near the top of the net. Both teams failed to score in the remaining three minutes, as the game ended in a stalemate. 

STATS: Los Angeles held advantages in shots (13-8) and corner kicks (6-2). The Jacks played an even game offensively with four shot attempts a piece for each half. Of Humboldt's eight total attempts, five of them were on goal. Gallardo's five saves this afternoon is his second highest total this season behind a pair of six save performances against Chico State and Sonoma State. Perez's goal this afternoon was also his fourth on the season.

UP NEXT: Humboldt remains home to finish off the second half of their weekend home stand against no. 12 Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 11:30 am. The game will also be the team's Dam Worth It Game, which will focus on and highlight mental health.