LAS VEGAS – Cal State Fullerton staged a miraculous comeback on Sunday afternoon, fighting back from a two-goal deficit to upset 14th-ranked Maryland, Baltimore County, 4-3, in double overtime at Johann Field as part of the UNLV Nike Invitational.
With just 35 seconds remaining in double overtime, senior Marc Fenelus delivered the golden goal with a 10-yard shot to the right post that was assisted by junior Colin Okirie.
The game winner was the third of three consecutive unanswered Fullerton goals after the Titans found themselves trailing 3-1 in the 66th minute.
The win marked the first of the year for Fullerton (1-3-2) as well as the first for head coach George Kuntz at CSF.
The Titan comeback began in the 72nd minute when Mark Vasquez served up his second assist of the day, setting up Garrett Losee's blast to the top left corner of the net as Fullerton climbed back within a goal of the Retrievers, 3-2.
The Titans evened the match at 3-3 in the 77th minute as Alex Cannas delivered a long ball into the box, and Julian Okai's header made contact, beating UMBC goalkeeper Phil Breno.
Fenelus and Okai now lead the Titans with two goals apiece.
The Titans were trailing 2-0 after UMBC (3-2-1) struck first in the 24th minute as Geaton Caltabiano scored his first goal of the year with Kay Banjo providing the assist. Less the three minutes later in the 27th minute, the Retrievers doubled their lead to 2-0 as Cormac Noel netted his second goal of the year with Jordan Becker setting up the score.
The Titans got a goal back in the 63rd minute as Vasquez's header was saved by UMBC goalkeeper Phil Breno, but the deflection fell to Fullerton freshman Diego Sanchez, who was able to score his first career goal from 15 yards out with an open net.
Four minutes later Banjo recorded his third goal of the season with a 12-yard blast after a scramble in the box, as the Retrievers took a 3-1 lead.
David Rodriguez Elias made his first start of the year in goal for Cal State Fullerton, making six saves, allowing all three UMBC goals.
Breno made seven saves for UMBC, as Cal State Fullerton outshot the Retrievers 19-13.
Robert Coronado and Fenelus were named to the UNLV Nike Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action on Friday, hosting Santa Clara at 7:30 p.m. at Titan Stadium. Cal State Fullerton students receive FREE admission with their Titan I.D, card, and students in attendance will also receive a Cal State Fullerton rally buff while supplies last.
Notes: Cal State Fullerton recorded its first win of the year and first-year head coach George Kuntz recorded his first win at CSF…this was Fullerton's second multiple-goal game of the year, and the Titans scored four goals for the first time since a 5-4 win over CSUN on Oct. 17, 202...Julian Okai and Marc Fenelus lead Cal State Fullerton with two goals apiece in 2014…the Titans are 1-1-2 in overtime matches this season.