Alex Hawes, Staff Reporter

In the game that would determine whether the Otters would make their first playoff appearance or not, CSU Monterey Bay took on Los Angeles State (CSULA), away game style, knowing all they needed was a tie to get the playoff birth.
The CSULA Eagles got off to a fast start against the Otters, scoring two goals in the first 20 minutes and taking a 2-0 lead.  But the Otters answered back, scoring two of their own in the next four minutes.
Both scores came from the foot of Nate Torricelli.  He was assisted by Kyle Satow on the first goal and Andy Breault on the second respectively.  Throughout the rest of the match, including two overtime periods, neither team was able to score.
The Otters pulled out the tie against CSULA and advanced to play number two seed, Cal State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in the first round of the playoffs. 
Before the CSULA game, a win at home against San Francisco State University propelled CSUMB to the showdown in L.A. 

The game went scoreless until late in the second half when CSUMB had a free kick from about 25 yards away from the goal.  Andy Breault kicked it inside the goal box and senior Kyle Millerick took it from there, chipping the ball in.
“It was just a one touch,” said Millerick, “I just kicked it with the outside of my foot and it went in.”

SFSU tied the game and immediately went into sudden death mode and in the ninety-sixth minute, Andrew Burkhammer seized possession and hammered the ball into the upper left corner of the goal. 

“I mean, you make decisions on the pitch,” said Burkhammer, “It just felt like the right time to be a little greedy.”
In reaction to his player’s performance down the stretch of the season, Coach Artie Cairel said, “We train a certain way every week, and our guys go out there and give it everything they’ve got.  We just want to win.” 
The playoff game against CSUDH turned out to be another barnburner.  Both teams battled throughout the first two halves, with many near goals and several big saves from Brenden Baca and Dominguez Hills’ goalie Derby Carillo. 
However, for the third straight game the Otters entered sudden death, this time the game was knotted at zero.  And for the second straight game, neither team could score in either overtime period.  In the playoffs, there are no ties and the game continued to a shootout. 
In a shootout, teams essentially take turns shooting penalty kicks.  Both teams traded goals back and forth and the game trudged on, leaving the crowd waiting in anticipation.  In the second shootout session, CSUDH’s Tibu Casillas connected with the ball and Baca’s dive was not quite enough as the ball careened off his arm and into the net.  At that, the Otters had to score on their next kick to continue the contest.  CSUMB’s Kevin Proschold booted the ball, but it was not meant to be, as the ball sailed just high and wide.
CSUMB’s loss to CSUDH meant the Otters would not advance to the CCAA championship game. However, the men’s soccer team still represented the school proudly and historically, becoming the first team from CSUMB to go to the Division II playoffs.