In the 27 years of Cal State Fullerton women's soccer there have been a bounty of outstanding athletes, including Karen Bardsley, Kellie Cox, Kandace Wilson, Becca Wilson, Christina Burkenroad and Atlanta Primus, just to name a few.
Even with this list of prolific of Titans, one name stands out in the career record book: Dolores Browning. She is number one all-time in total points (140), points per match (1.75), goals (61), goals per match (0.76), shots (270), and shots per match (3.38). Browning is also in the top ten in five other offensive categories. She was named Big West Player of the Year in 1996.
Despite her many accomplishments, Browning may not be that well-known to the majority of CSUF fans. Her years were played before the advent of the internet. There were no webcasts of games, social media publicity nor a viable women's pro soccer league.
Browning (1995-98), came to Fullerton from Mayfair High School in Lakewood and the Revolution club program in Long Beach. She was recruited by assistant coach Rick Garcia when the Titan program was in its infancy. Browning selected Fullerton because of its "atmosphere, facility, and focus on soccer." Playing in the brand-new Titan Stadium was a "thrill," and the fans embraced the women's program early on.
From 1993 to 2000 the men's and women's soccer teams shared a head coach in Al Mistri, and Browning was quick to mention that she always felt that the women's team received equal attention from the coaching staff. The Big West would not make women's soccer a conference sport until 1996, so in her first season the Titans played as an independent.
Among her highlights were the opportunity to play and defeat much larger programs like Arizona, USC, Alabama, and Cal.
Upon her graduation, there were no professional opportunities available. The 1997 Big West Scholar Athlete of the Year chose to pursue her teaching credential at Cal State Fullerton. In 2001 she was approached by the San Diego Spirit of the first-year Women's United Soccer Association. A full year out of competitive play, she was given only two weeks to prepare for a tryout. She did not make the team, and the league folded after three seasons.
Current women's soccer head coach Demian Brown was on the Titan men's team during Browning's era. He described her as "An absolute stud. She was exciting to watch play… fast, creative with the ball, and just a competitor when it came to scoring goals."
Browning, now Dolores Smith, is a teacher at a visual and performing arts elementary school in Westminster, California. She is married to former Titan men's soccer player Alessio Smith (1995-98), who is tied for 10th all-time in assists. They have two children and enjoy attending Cal State Fullerton soccer matches.