FULLERTON, Calif. – Gabby Seiler's fourth goal of the season ended any hope of a Titan comeback on Sunday as the Georgia forward's golden goal dealt Cal State Fullerton a 2-1 loss in overtime at Titan Stadium.
The Titans (0-3-1) have now lost three consecutive matches, while the Bulldogs improve to 2-1-1 on the season.
For the fourth time this season, Fullerton conceded the first goal of the game as Rachel Garcia notched her first score of the year in the 24th minute. Seiler played a ball out of the midfield that was settled at the near post by Kelsey Killean, who drove the ball across the front of the goal mouth, allowing Garcia to touch the ball in at the far post in front of any empty net.
The Titans totaled 14 shots on the day, led by Rebecca Wilson's seven attempts, but it was freshman Tala Haddad who managed the equalizer in the 79th minute. The Titans sent a long ball out of the back that was controlled by Georgia defender Kelsey Nix, but with Haddad applying pressure, Nix played the ball off a teammate right into Haddad's path. The rookie from Bakersfield, Calif., buried her opportunity to the low left corner tying the game.
Playing overtime for the second straight game and third match of the season overall, the Titans conceded the game winner in the 96th minute as a ball was played out of the back by Garcia, and headed to Seiler from Killean. In a race to the top of the box, Titan goalkeeper Morgan Bertsch collided with Titan defender Morgan Batcheller, allowing Seiler to retrieve the pass and easily place the game winner on frame for the win.
The Titans had opportunities in the second half taking nine looks at goal compared to just three in the first 45 minutes. In the 62nd minute, Christina Burkenroad spun her defender and had a look near post, but missed wide.
And moments later, Wilson hit the post in the 64th minute as the shot agonizingly traveled along the goal mouth, but never crossing.
The Titans outshot the Bulldogs 14-9, while Georgia held a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks. Fouls were even at 15 apiece, however three Georgia players were issued yellow cards.
Fullerton played its first four matches at home and will now head out on the road four its next four beginning with a trip to the Northwest next weekend at Oregon State on Friday night (7 p.m.) followed by a 1 p.m. kick-off at Oregon on Sunday.
Notes: Tala Haddad scored her first career goal as a Titan…Fullerton has lost three straight matches for the first time since a four-match losing streak from Aug. 26-Sept. 11, 2011…the Titans have lost three straight matches at Titan Stadium for the first time since losing to UC Riverside, 3-2, on Oct. 26, 2008 and dropping the first two games of the 2009 season to Utah (3-1, Aug. 23) and St. John's (1-0, Aug. 28) …Sunday's match was the first between Fullerton and Georgia…Fullerton has yet to score first in a game this season and is 0-3-0 when leading the opponent in shots…all three of Fullerton's goals this season have come after the 79th minute and all three have been equalizers…the Titans are 13-12-22 in extra time during Demian Brown's head coaching career.