SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After 110 minutes of action the game was still undecided with a 1-1 score, however, the Titans advanced to the Big West Tournament Semifinals after defeating UCSB in penalty kicks Wednesday night at Harder Stadium
Fullerton was successful on all five of its penalty kicks as Robert Coronado, Christian Pinzon, Zico Bailey, Alex Juarez and Samuel Goni all buried their shots to close the door on the Gauchos after missing their third attempt.
Can't stop, won't stop... @FullertonMSOC on to the semifinals!
— Big West M-Soccer (@BigWestMSOC) November 1, 2018
Samuel Goni puts away the final PK and the Titans hand #UCSB their 1st "loss" of the season at home (technically, it's a 1-1 draw).#TusksUp at (2) #UCRiverside for a Saturday semi, 7pm PT. #PlayBig pic.twitter.com/3KGXyoiCQH
Christian Pinzon put the Titans on the board first with a goal in the 24th minute of action for his sixth of the season. Pinzon received a perfect pass from Ross McPhie which he chipped over the closing goalkeeper to put Fullerton up 1-0 early.
Christian Pinzon (24' via Ross McPhie) put @FullertonMSOC on the board early in their #BWCTourney quarterfinal.
— Big West M-Soccer (@BigWestMSOC) November 1, 2018
(5) Titans at (2) #UCRiverside Saturday, 7pm PT.#TusksUp | #PlayBig pic.twitter.com/LdpLOHdCuq
However, Santa Barbara answered right back in the 27th minute on a goal from Ignacio Tellechea. Thibault Candia crossed the ball through the box and Tellechea was able to hit it in to tie the game up.
Both teams had good looks in overtime, however, neither team was able to finish and end the game. Goalkeeper Paul-Andre Guerin was a key part of that as he was able to get a piece of Rodney Michael's shot in the second overtime to keep the Titans alive.
In five Big West Conference Tournaments since Head Coach George Kuntz arrived at Fullerton, The Titans have won three games at Santa Barbara. The match officially goes down as a tie, but it is the first time the Gauchos have lost at Harder Stadium all season.
The Titans now move onto the Big West Conference Semifinals as they head to UC Riverside Saturday with kick off at 7 p.m. PT. Fullerton tied 0-0 with UC Riverside in the final regular season match.
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