SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After scoring early in the game in the 15th minute to take a 1-0 lead, the Titans (5-4-1) were then outscored 4-1 in the rest of the match to fall in their conference opener to UC Santa Barbara 5-2 Thursday night at Harder Stadium.
"We're a lot better than the way we played tonight," said Head Coach George Kuntz. "That did not exemplify what kind of team we are."
Fullerton played the Gauchos tough for 57 minutes before UCSB opened the floodgates and took a commanding three goal lead. The Titans were outshot nine to eight while also recording less shots on goal, seven to four. Fullerton outearned the Gauchos in corner kicks seven to three.
Ross Mcphie scored his fifth goal of the season early in the first period to give the Titans a 1-0 lead in 15th minute. McPhie made a run into the box and fired a bouncing ball off of a pass from Mark Hernandez in the back of the net. The junior midfielder now has three goals in the last three games.
The Gauchos answered with a goal of their own in the 41st minute by Derek Kryzda to tie the game at 1-1 going into the locker room.
Forward Bass Sarr picked up his second goal of the season in the 58th minute on a perfect corner kick from Mark Hernandez. Hernandez placed the ball on the far side top corner of the net which Sarr finished off with a beautiful header.
Immediately after Sarr's goal the Gauchos went on a run, scoring three unanswered goals including two back-to-back goals 19 seconds apart in the 58th minute by Sahid Conteh and Ignacio Tellechea to take their first lead of the game. UCSB added two more goals in the 62nd minute and 77th by Adrian Adams and Rodney Michael, respectively, to take a 5-2 lead.
Sophomore Alfredo Cortez was strong in goal in the first half, facing five shots total while making two great saves to keep the match tied going into the locker room. The second half didn't fair so well for Cortez as he gave up three goals, however, two of the goals there was nothing he could do about as they were perfect shots on net. The loss is Cortez's first of the season, he is now 3-1-1 on the year.
The Titans were outshot in the first half by the Gauchos 5-2 while out earning them for corner kicks 5-0. UC Santa Barbara picked up 10 fouls in the first period compared to the Titans just two fouls.
Fullerton looks to put the loss behind them as they head to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for its second game in three days.
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