Oct. 21, 2009
Riverside, Calif. - Sophomore Kevin Venegas (Los Alamitos HS) scored a pair of goals as Cal State Fullerton twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 tie in Big West Conference men's soccer Wednesday night at UC Riverside.
The Titans' record is now 7-6-2 overall and 3-2-1 in the Big West. UCR improved to 1-12-1 and 0-5-1 and stopped a 9-match losing streak.
Venegas' first two goals of the season matched tallies by the Highlanders' Joel Garcia and Alexander Racca. Each team's first-half goal was the results of a defensive lapse and both second-half goals came on penalty kicks.
Garcia took advantage of a Titan turnover to dribble in on CSF goalkeeper Trevor Whiddon from a right angle and he scored inside the far left post in the 26th minute. Venegas tied the score from about 15 yards out at 1-1 in the 35th minute after a pass from Nick Posthuma, who intercepted a lazy UCR pass.
UCR took a 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute on Racca's penalty kick. Whiddon received a yellow card after taking down a UCR attacker in the corner of the penalty box after a long through ball.
Fullerton didn't get the tying score until the 84th minute. Eric Esbobedo's cross from the right side into the box drew a Highlander defender into contact with a Titan forward and a foul was called, setting up Venegas' penalty kick.
"We are disappointed we couldn't take advantage of the opportunity to get a win and three points and move into a first-place tie," said CSF Head Coach Bob Ammann. "But we battled back and did what it took to get one point.
"I knew it would be a tough match. Riverside is a tough place to play and its artificial surface is not conducive to our style of play.
"I was pleased with the boys' attitude. They are disappointed as if we had lost the match."
Fullerton outshot the hosts, 27-17, but it was only a 10-9 advantage in shots on goals. Whiddon made 7 saves for the Titans while Cody Suppe made 8 for UCR. Both made a couple of excellent saves.
Fullerton plays at UC Santa Barbara on Saturday night. The Gauhocs are ranked in the Top Ten of all the major polls.