WESTWOOD, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton's men's soccer squad forced overtime for the second-straight road match on Monday night, but it wouldn't be enough as No. 16 UCLA converted on a penalty kick to top the Titans at Drake Stadium, 1-0.
"The result of the game was a travesty for our team," coach George Kuntz said. "I felt our team played well enough to win, but hats off to UCLA for putting the ball in a dangerous and forcing the referee to make a decision in a game which we were very capable."
The loss puts Fullerton at 0-2-0 on the year after two hard-fought road contests, while UCLA (1-0-1) gets its first win of the season after drawing with No. 2 Maryland on Friday.
For the second consecutive game, the Titans out shot their opponent as Cal State Fullerton finished the night with 14 shots in total and five of those being on target. Fullerton also induced more corners than the Bruins by recording seven in the contests.
"We played really well out there, but unfortunately we couldn't get the goal," midfielder Robert Coronado said.
Cal State Fullerton took all the momentum early with key chances from Ross McPhie and Ronaldo Pineda who put their shots on goal, but Bruins goalkeeper Juan Cervantes continued to make huge saves for UCLA to keep the match scoreless.
"We had 14 shots to their six," Kuntz said. "We had seven corners to their four, coming off a double overtime loss in Vermont and traveling across the country."
The Titans defense held its ground for a majority of the contest, including the first 30 minutes where Fullerton held the Bruins to one shot. Entering the second half, Fullerton was in control in the attacking half as the Titans doubled UCLA in shots, shots on goal and corners.
"We dominated the game by out shooting UCLA by almost 10 shots," Coronado said. "We had plenty of chances to end the game early, but we didn't take care of business with the final shot."
Needing a goal, Pineda come out in the second half firing as the sophomore had two early shots to open up the half, including a 30-yard rocket that went just wide of the post.
As regulation ended, the Titans got some good chances on goal from Robert Coronado, but Cervantes wouldn't let Fullerton get the late-winner as he saved both shots. Edgar Rodriguez one-timed a shot right over the top bar that would have given the Titans the lead in the 89th, but it sailed just high.
In overtime, UCLA got the early momentum with a couple chances in the attacking half, but the Fullerton defense held strong. Unfortunately, UCLA find an opening in the Titans backline that ended up being a foul in the box for the Bruins, resulting in a penalty.
Brian Iloski would take the penalty kick for UCLA and the Bruin put it through the net to give the Titans their second-straight road loss to begin the season.
"How we respond to these overtime games is very important in our journey this season and we are road warriors," Kuntz said. "We will regroup and get ready for our next contest."
Up next for Cal State Fullerton is the Johann Memorial Classic, hosted by UNLV. The Titans will face the Rebels on Friday at 7 p.m. PT before facing Santa Clara to close out the tournament on Sunday at 9 p.m. PT.
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