March 5, 2007
Fullerton, Calif. - Titans Tie Chivas, LMU in Spring Debuts
Home Depot Center, Carson
The Titans opened their spring schedule with a 3-3 draw with Chivas USA in the first of two spring games played on Thursday, March 1. The Chivas USA spring exhibition was held Thursday morning at The Home Depot Center followed by LMU back at Titan Stadium at 7 p.m.
Chivas USA, which is looking to trim its pre-season roster, came out the aggressors and went up 1-0 on a cross headed home in the box. Fullerton, playing with five in midfield, looked to get into a rhythm and created a few good chances in the first half, the best coming from good work down the right flank. Gabriel Farfan's cross into the box for Skyler Thurreson was dummied and put a streaking Jacob Shumway in all by himself only to see his touch allow a defender to clear it out of danger.
The first Titan goal came from some nifty work by Gabriel Farfan to get into the box and then get pulled down for the first of his two penalty kicks. Following the equalizer, defensive miscommunication allowed Eder Robles to once again put Chivas USA up, 2-1.
The start of the second half saw the Titans bring in Shay Spitz at left back and move Ben Hofstetter to the right. The changes seemed to jump start the Titans, resulting in two nice goals coming from play down both flanks. The first goal again coming from the penalty spot and the second by midfielder Pete Kingman off a cross. Kingman was playing in his first game in 14 months after practicing the past two weeks. Kevin Puder and Brent Douglas split time in goal for the Titans.
Cal State Fullerton (Starting Lineup, 4-5-1): Kevin Puder; Amir Shafii, Matt Saunders, Sean Keefe, Ben Hofstetter; Gabriel Farfán, German Moreno, Pete Kingman, Jacob Shumway, Michael Farfan; Skyler Thuresson.
" I thought it was a good result, especially for our first spring game," said Head Coach Bob Ammann. "I was pleased with a number of parts and feel that the miscues are easily fixable."
Titan Stadium, Fullerton CA
The second game of the day was a 0-0 draw with Loyola Marymount.
The Titans and Lions locked horns in a defensive battle that saw two keepers for both teams share in the shutouts. The Titans lined up in a 4-5-1, playing with the same lineup as the second half versus Chivas USA. Matt Sanders and Amir Shafii were both strong in central defense while German Moreno did a good job holding the midfield together. Skyler Thuresson did well playing as the lone front runner versus LMU's 4-man back line.
"I was really looking forward to seeing how we would respond after playing a tough game earlier in the day," said Ammann. "I thought that defensively we limited the mistakes that cost us against Chivas and was pleased with the effort.
"Both games were great for our development and helpful in the overall steps that the program is making."