Titans Withstand Waves Barrage to Forge 1-1 Draw

2013 Christina Burkenroad
2013 Christina Burkenroad

MALIBU, Calif. -- Cal State Fullerton sophomore Christina Burkenroad netted her second goal of the season and senior goalkeeper Lindsey Maricic finished with a career-high 15 saves on the day as the Titans withstood a barrage of 34 shots from host Pepperdine in a 1-1 draw with the Waves on Friday afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field in Malibu.

The win moves Fullerton 4-3-3 overall as the 34 shots were the second-most against a Titan squad in the history of the program, trailing only the 38 shots unleashed by the Waves on Oct. 30, 1993, in the first season of the program. Maricic's 15 saves were also the second-most in a match by a Fullerton keeper, trailing only Heidi Clauss' 21 saves against Pepperdine in that very same match.

The Waves, who were receiving votes nationally in this week's polls, moved to 5-3-2 overall on the year to close out their non-conference schedule. Friday marked the second consecutive match that Pepperdine had reached 30 shots after taking 33 against Fresno State last weekend.

Burkenroad's score came in the 40th minute to five the Titans the early lead, taking a feed from teammate Erica Mazeau and beating the keeper to the far post on the right side for the 1-0 lead.

The advantage lasted all the way until the 86th minute as Fullerton turned away numerous chances at the equalizer by Pepperdine. The Waves finally broke through to tie it up in the 86th minute as Lynn Williams slotted a perfect past to a streaking Kristen Rodriguez, springing her on a breakaway down the right side.

Rodriguez, from a tight angle, then found the upper corner from 10 yards out for her third of the season and forge the tie.

Headed to overtime for the third time in their last four matches, the Titans continued to turn back the Waves, who held a 9-1 shot advantage over the final 20 minutes of extra time. Rodriguez had the first chance just 16 seconds into the first overtime period and Maricic came up huge in the 97th minute when Williams found herself all alone on the left side, but was able to get a hand on the Pepperdine striker's attempt to keep things knotted at 1-1.

Maricic had four saves in the first overtime and a fifth in the second extra period, including getting some help from her defense, which cleared an attempt by Rodriguez off the line in the 102nd minute.

Michelle Pao also hit a post and a crossbar in the final eight minutes sandwiched around Rodriguez's goal that would have been the difference in regulation while Pepperdine and Rodriguez had a goal called back in the 37th minute due to offsides.

Nikki McCants finished with a team-high four of the Titans' nine shots on the day while Williams outshot Fullerton by herself, finishing with 10 shots for the match as 11 different Waves took shots.

The Titans return to the pitch on Sunday (Sept. 29) at Noon as they play host to Gonzaga at Titan Stadium to open a three-match homestand and close out non-conference play.

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