EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Cal State Fullerton men's soccer opened the 2023 season with a 6-1 win over Mercer Thursday morning in a neutral site matchup.
In the 23rd minute of action the Titans were putting the pressure on Mercer which led to a red card and a player being sent off the pitch. Fuller played the remainder of the match with a man advantage.
The Titans scored their first goal of the season in the 36th minute on a strike from outside the 18-yard box by Jorge Quintero. Roberto Ordoñez got the assist, earning his first point as a Titan after missing all of last season due to an injury.
Fullerton pulled away from Mercer in the second half, scoring five goals from five different Titans.
Freshman Fernando Valenzuela scored his first collegiate goal in the 51st minute of action to put the Titans up 2-0. Quintero assisted on the goal for his third point of the game.
Mario Carlos extended the Titans lead to 3-0 in the 69th minute, scoring his first Div. I goal and first as a Titan. Marci Killeen recorded the assist. Less than a minute later Ordoñez scored his first goal in a Titan uniform to put Fullerton up 4-0.
In the 79th minute, freshman Fitz Williams scored his first collegiate goal to extend the Titans lead to 5-0. Tobi Osifodunrin assisted Williams on the goal.
Mercer got on the board in the 85th minute on a penalty kick by Barzee Blama. Fullerton quickly responded with a goal by Erick Serrano in the 88th minute to reclaim a five goal lead.
Fullerton's five goal victory is the biggest in a season opener since 1976 when the Titans defeated UC Riverside 6-0.
The Titans dominated possession while creating a multitude of chances in the final third. Fullerton recorded 21 shots with 11 them on goal while the defense held Mercer to nine shots with just two of them on goal.
Fullerton looks to carry its momentum into Sunday's game against Evansville. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PT.
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