Box Score (PDF)
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton men's soccer team battled against Cal Poly, the Big West leader in goals allowed, to a scoreless draw at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on Thursday night.
The top two Big West defenses went head-to-head and tested their offensive powers with the Titans (7-4-1, 2-0-1 BWC) outshooting the Mustangs 9-8 while drawing eight corner kicks to Cal Poly's five. Fullerton's keeper David Rodriguez Elias logged one save, while the reigning Big West Goalkeeper of the Year Wade Hamilton recorded two of his own.
Cal Poly took control offensively early in the match, taking the first shot off of a corner in the 12th minute. In the 26th minute, midfielder Nicolo D'Amato found the only Titan opportunity of the first half and took a shot that missed wide right.
The Mustangs remained in control throughout the rest of the first half, logging a total of three corner kicks and four shots to the Titans one corner and one shot.
In the second half, Fullerton claimed control managing six shots, two of them testing Cal Poly's keeper Hamilton with shots on goal from Oscar Torres and Brandon West. The Titans outshot the Mustangs 6-3 and drew four corners to Cal Poly's two in the second half.
The Titans were aggressive throughout the game, drawing 18 total fouls in 110 minutes played. Freshmen Ronaldo Pineda and Carlos Troncoso both drew yellow cards while the two teams drew 10 total fouls in the second half.
At the end of regulation the two teams were still scoreless, leading the Titans to their first overtime match of the year.
Yet the overtime periods remained just the way the regulation match was, a battle between the two top defensive teams which eventually led to a scoreless draw.
Fullerton heads to Santa Barbara to take on the preseason favorite Gauchos at Harder Stadium at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.
NOTES: This is the first time in 29 meetings against Cal Poly that the match finished in a draw… Tonight's match was the first overtime of the year for the Titans… Fullerton is now 1-3-1 on the road… Rodriguez Elias' goals against average is now at 0.82… The Titans are still unbeaten in conference play…
