Dec. 23, 2005

FULLERTON, CA - Cal State Fullerton senior defender Marlene Sandoval continued to add to her postseason award haul, earning second-team All-America honors as announced by Soccer Buzz on Thursday evening (Dec. 22).

It is the second All-America honor for the Placentia, Calif., native this season as she was also named a second-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association on Dec. 12. Her other awards this season include Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, her second consecutive All-Big West First Team honor, and first-team All-West Region selections by both Soccer Buzz and the NSCAA.

The centerpiece of one of the most dominating defenses in school history, Fullerton set school records for fewest goals allowed (15), fewest shots allowed (161), and most shutouts in a single season (12), while also tying the record for consecutive shutouts in a single season with four from Sept. 16-29, outscoring the opposition 11-0 in that span.

The Titans finished 19-4 overall in 2005 and won both the Big West Conference regular season and tournament titles to earn their second-ever berth into the NCAA Tournament. Once there, Fullerton finished as one of the final 16 teams left standing after defeating UNLV and Southern California at home in the first two rounds, and dropping a narrow, 2-1, decision to No. 7 Virginia on the road in the third round.

Cal State Fullerton finished the 2005 season ranked in the top 12 in a pair of national polls, standing at a school-record No. 11 in the nation according to Soccer Buzz and No. 12 according to the NSCAA. Both organizations have the Titans ranked at No. 5 in the West Region.