FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton held a dominant shot advantage over Long Beach State but could not find the back of the net playing to a 0-0 tie with the 49ers on Thursday evening at Titan Stadium in Big West Conference action.
The Titans (3-7-4, 1-0-2 Big West) out shot LBSU 19-4 forcing 49er goalkeeper Ashton McKeown to make eight saves, but it was Long Beach State (5-5-4, 1-1-1 Big West) who had the advantage in the final moments as the Titans were forced to finish the match down a player after goalkeeper Jennifer Stuart was issued a red card in 95th minute, replaced by freshman Morgan Bertsch.
LBSU's Hannah Sanders played a ball out of the midfield over the Titan defense and found Mimi Rangel closing down on goal after splitting two Fullerton defenders. Stuart came off her line to make the save on Rangel's early shot, but misjudged her space and played the ball with her hands outside of the box, drawing a red card.
Bertsch made the save on the ensuing LBSU free kick to keep the shutout for the Titans.
"This game was a great example of how competitive and how entertaining the Big West Conference is on the women's side," Cal State Fullerton head coach Demian Brown said. "I feel that our team is coming into conference playing at a very high level, and again this a great example of two really good teams in our conference battling it out."
A total of 1,536 fans attended the doubleheader with the men's soccer team at Titan Stadium. The attendance total ranks second in CSF women's soccer falling just short of 1,570 vs. Long Beach State on Oct. 19, 2001.
Christina Burkenroad led Fullerton with six shots while Rebecca Wilson followed closely with five attempts.
In the first half, Burkenroad's blast in the 11th minute to the left post forced a diving fingertip save from McKeown. The San Diego native later fired a bending show just wide of the left post in 30th minute.
In the second half, it was the reigning Big West Offensive Player of the Week, Rebecca Wilson causing havoc.
In the 56th minute, Wilson dribbled through the box, setting up an attempt for Burkenroad that sailed over the crossbar.
In the 79th minute, Morgan Batcheller drove a pass down the left side to Ivy Diego as her cross deflected to the feet of Wilson, but her shot sailed high. Wilson also forced a save from McKeown in the 84th minute.
The Titans return to action on Friday, hosting the Alumni at 7 p.m. at Titan Stadium. Admission is free. Fullerton will return to Big West action at CSUN on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Notes: Nine of Fullerton's first 14 matches of the year have entered overtime, and the Titans are 0-5-4 in those games. Fullerton is 13-15-25 in extra time during Head Coach Demian Brown's eight seasons…Fullerton shut out an opponent for the third time this year and was shut out for the fourth time this year…CSF leads the all-time series against LBSU with a record of 8-7-2. In their first 15 meetings, the Titans and 49ers never tied, but their last two matches have ended in draws…Twelve of Fullerton's 14 games this season have been decided by one goal or less…Long Beach State's Shea Hoover and Cal State Fullerton's Kaycee Hoover, sisters, both played in the game…a total of 513 students Cal State Fullerton attended the doubleheader with men's team hosting UCSB, answering CSF women's head coach Demian Brown's challenge. The eighth-year head coach will now wear the Tuffy costume at a men's basketball game this season… a total of 1,536 fans attended the doubleheader with the men's soccer team at Titan Stadium. The attendance total ranks second in CSF women's soccer falling just short of 1,570 vs. Long Beach State on Oct. 19, 2001.
