The SF State men’s soccer team dropped a close game to the Cal State L.A. Golden Eagles, after roaring back from an early two-goal deficit.

Cal State L.A. jumped out first with a goal from forward Dennis Idrissa midway through the first half. Forward Morten Marthinsen had the assist by way of providing the blocked shot deflection off SF State goalkeeper Ezra Mendoza.

Fourteen minutes later, with less than five to play in the half, Cal State L.A. scored again. The goal went to Beville Constantine, with Idrissa getting the assist.

Not to be shutout in the first half, SF State midfielder and senior George Nixon answered immediately with a header off a pass from Robert Maeda. The goal came only 1:19 after Cal State L.A.’s score, and brought the Gators back into the game with intensity.

In the second half, Nixon struck again. His second goal of the game came off an assist from midfielder Shawn Granger.

“It was a free kick from outside right. I just went and flicked it off the back post,” described Nixon.

Nixon's goals in Friday's game were his first and second of the season. The team leader is forward Dylan Glass, who has scored four times.

“George is a big guy and a consistent performer. I am very pleased with his attitude. He was ill earlier this week, and would not be deterred,” said SF State head coach Joe Hunter of the team's tallest and heaviest player, at 6 foot 3 inches, 190 pounds.

With about 10 minutes to play, Golden Eagles forward Derek Horn scored off a pass from Jason Swope to provide the game winner. The win improved the team's record to 5-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings.

“It was a hard fought game,” Nixon said. “We had a little let down in the second half. They put theirs away. We didn’t put ours away.”

There were 220 people on hand for the Gators’ third home loss.

“I am disappointed in the results. At this point in the season we should not allow soft goals. We had miscommunication and poor defensive decisions. We are working to solve that problem,” Coach Hunter said. “There are two ways to go: win luckily or lose violently, and we haven’t had too many lucky wins.”

The loss on Sept. 29 drops SF State to 2-5-2 in the CCAA and 4-6-2 overall this season.

“We need to focus, to be diligent, tighten up defense, move simply and play composed," said Nixon after the game.

With eight games left on the schedule, the season is hardly over.

“Our guys are ‘no quit’: keep working, keep pushing,” Hunter said. “It’s a year-long test.”