FULLERTON, Calif. – The three-time defending Big West Conference champion Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team recently completed an undefeated spring season and announced a nine-woman signing class for 2016-17 in February.
FullertonTitans.com checked in with head coach Demian Brown to get the latest and greatest from all things happening at Titan Stadium.
FullertonTitans.com : Last season the team made its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance, playing USC in the first round to a 3-3 tie, but failing to advance on PKs. Can you tell Titan fans what it was like to end your season in that fashion, and what the Titans have been up to since November?
Demian Brown: The way that season ended – we were able to extract and take a lot of positives out of it. Truth be told however, you lose in PKs at USC, and there is a really big heartbreak that is associated with that. The game, I thought, was played very well and I thought the season leading up to that point was obviously one of the best that we have had in a number of years. For it to finish the way it did was difficult. From that point however, we've really revamped some of the things that we do, and have gotten ourselves into a position where we hope to have a similar type of season and put ourselves in position to make a run at a national title.
FT: After a 1-0 loss to UCSB on Oct. 29, the Titans have a 15-match undefeated streak through the rest of the fall season and the spring. Can you give Titan fans an overall assessment of your spring season?
DB: The spring was good for us. We had to get the team to grow a little bit. Obviously losing three very good soccer players as we did with Becca (Wilson), Burky (Christina Burkenroad) and Morgan (Batcheller), getting the team to step into some new roles was the focus during the spring, and I really think we did a good job of that as a staff. I think the team really accepted that challenge. The best way to look at that is that our final result was a 3-3 draw at UCLA. To be able to have both of our forwards who are slated to be starters score goals against a perennial power like UCLA, and in the way that they scored those goals, really leaves us with a good taste in our mouth and a very positive finish to a very competitive spring.
FT: The good news is that following the 2015 season you only have to replace three seniors for 2016, the bad news is those player are Morgan Batcheller, Christina Burkenroad and Rebecca Wilson. What is the process for a coach both on and off the field when you have had a core group for four years, and you start that first season without it?
DB: A big part of that is just the coaching and encouraging of the players that are in the program – that they can step into those types of roles. Burky, Becca and Morgan had phenomenal senior years that they grew into. So we have to encourage Nano Oronoz, Ivy Diego, Tala Haddad and Sarah Fajnor, who we look to as our attacking core at this moment, to be able to talk to them about the opportunities that they have to be able to simulate their experiences, and using some of the things with Becca and Christina with these current players is showing good dividends for us.
FT: On a side note, what was it like to have to coach against Rebecca Wilson in the alumni game?
DB: It was fun. It was a lot of fun. Obviously Becca's personality is so outstanding so playing against her and watching her still be the fastest and most technical - that turns out to be is an accomplishment for the program.
FT: In February you announced your 2016 recruiting class. What areas were you able to address and what are your overall thoughts on the class?
DB: Obviously with the group that we graduated our biggest concern and emphasis was bringing in attacking-minded players. We feel that we've done that. We have some outstanding incoming soccer players from very established clubs who are very experienced in their club and high school soccer careers. Obviously for us to be able to have a player that is currently competing with English U-19 national team is a major step forward for us, so we hope that these players can come in, transition quickly, and make an instant impact with what we are doing.
FT: And last but not least, over the last month there have been a lot of changes at Titan Stadium, can you give Titans fans your thoughts on all the upgrades this facility has seen over the last few years.
DB: As an alum of the University and soccer program, I am very proud of the way that the stadium looks. As a coach, I am inspired, and it does add to our recruiting element. Players want to come in and feel appreciated. Players want to come into a facility and have that pride to play and represent their school, and I think that with all the renovations and enhancements to the stadium, our current players as well as our future players will be able to come to Titan Stadium and feel honored to be a part of positive tradition and look to add to that.
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