Sept. 14, 2008
Denver, CO -
Courtesy Univ. of Denver sports information office
Freshmen Alex DeCosta, Sam Garza and Jarod Stigall all scored their first career goals, fueling the University of Denver men's soccer team past Cal State Fullerton, 4-1, at Pioneer Field on Sunday afternoon.
Denver (2-3-0) opened the scoring just 6:47 into the game, when senior forward Leon Abravanel buried a shot that was set up by senior forward Kyle Christensen and junior midfielder Collin Audley.
Freshman midfielder DeCosta extended the lead with 14:09 remaining in the half. Christensen chipped the ball into the left side of the box to freshman forward Garza, who put a lead pass on DeCosta's foot five yards out for the score.
After several near misses in the first four games, Garza found the back of the net for the first time with just under seven minutes to play in the first half, getting the rebound on his own shot and firing it past Titan goalkeeper Trevor Whiddon.
The Pioneers headed to halftime leading 3-1 and outshooting Cal State Fullerton (2-4-0), 10-7.
Nine minutes into the second half, freshman midfielder Stigall received a lead pass from senior midfielder Joey Mathot in the middle of the box and beat Whiddon for a four-goal cushion.
The Titans got a goal back with just under 24 minutes to play. Mario Alvarez fired a cross from the right side to Mark Nelson, who flicked a pass to Celso Alvarez about eight yards out from the left post, and Celso Alvarez drilled a shot into the goal.
Pioneers goalkeeper Joe Willis started his first game since 2006 and allowed only one goal while making five saves.
Fullerton plays next weekend in a tournament in Seattle vs. Washington and the University of Portland.