Nov. 4, 2009
Northridge, Calif. - Cameron Sims scored from short range in front of the goal mouth in the sixth minute of overtime Wednesday afternoon to give Cal State Northrige a key 1-0 Big West Conference men's soccer victory over visiting Cal State Fullerton.
After a battle for fourth place and a post-season tournament berth, the Matadors now have a 3-point lead with a 4-4-1 record (9-7-2 overall) over the Titans, who fell to 3-5-1 (7-9-2) overall.
Each team has one match remaining -- CSUN is at UC Irvine and Fullerton hosts UC Riverside -- on Saturday night. In case of tie-breakers, the two teams split one-goal overtime decisions this season. UC Davis also is in the picture with 10 points like the Titans, but must play at first-place UC Santa Barbara on Saturday.
Rene Anguiano and Yuval Barak got assists on Sims' goal, his seventh of the season.
Trevor Whiddon made 5 saves for the Titans while Michael Abalos was credited with 4 for the Matadors, who outshot Fullerton, 18-13.
"I feel terrible for our men," said CSF Head Coach Bob Ammann. "It's extremely disappointing. I was pleased with our effort, especially after our performance against UC Irvine.
"Today was an accumulation of a lot of little things. We have not been good enough in the final third the last five games. Our decision making and technique need to get better.
"On the positive side, our defense played well. Trevor was excellent in goal and Matt (Sanders) showed why he is a first-team All-Big West defender."
Of Fullerton's last 12 matches, seven have gone into overtime with a 2-3-2 result.
There were no cards issued and each team committed 18 fouls.