Sept. 23, 2009

Fullerton, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge appear to be the favorites to protect regional pride in the Big West Challenge men's soccer tournament this weekend at Titan Stadium.

The host Titans are 4-2-0 and off to their best start since the 2000 team opened 6-0 and the Matadors own the best record in the Big West at 5-1. Coastal Carolina comes in with a 2-2-2 record while Denver is 2-2-1.

Denver and Northridge open the tourney at 5 p.m. on Friday night with Coastal Carolina and Fullerton to meet 30 minutes after the opener's conclusion. Sunday's schedule has Coastal playing Northridge at 11 a.m. followed by Denver and Fullerton.

All four matches will be carried on Big West TV (www.bigwest.org).

Northridge has won five matches in a row since an opening loss at San Diego. The Matadors have outscored the opposition 9-3 in the winning streak. Cameron Sims leads the team with 3 goals while Sunghyun Kim is tops with 7 points.

Denver is coming off a scoreless tie with Washington. The Pioneers scored six of their eight goals this season in a 6-1 win over Belmont. Alex Tarnoczi has 3 goals and 7 points to lead the way.

Coastal is coming off a 3-3 tie with Furman. James Stapleton leads the team with 5 goals and 12 points and Riley Phelps has 4 goals and 8 points.

Fullerton is paced by Celso Alvarez, who has four goals and one assist. Shay Spitz (2 goals) is the only other Titan with more than one score. Five of Fullerton's six matches have been decided by a single goal with a 3-0 win over Fairleigh Dickinson the exception. Fullerton didn't get its fourth win last year until Oct. 22 in its 16th match. Fullerton won only one home match last year but is 1-0 this season.

Fullerton is 1-0 alltime vs. Coastal Carolina with a 2-1 overtime win in Conway, South Carolina, in 2007. The Titans are 2-1-0 with Denver, most recently a 4-1 loss in the mile-high city last season.