Cal State Fullerton Game Notes
|LMU Preview (HTML) | San Diego Game Notes
Big West Weekly Notes
FULLERTON, Calif--- The Cal State Fullerton men's soccer team hosts its home opener Friday at 7:00 p.m. vs. LMU before heading south to take on San Diego, Sunday at 5:00 p.m., which will be the first match of season-long four-game road trip.
There will be live audio streaming available for both of Cal State Fullerton's games this weekend. To access audio for the matches visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the men's soccer schedule page then click the "video" link.
There will be live audio streaming available for Cal State Fullerton's game vs. LMU on Friday. To access audio for the matches visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the men's soccer schedule page then click the "audio" link. There will be no audio coverage for Sunday's match.
There will be live stats available for both of Cal State Fullerton's soccer matches this weekend. To access live stats for the game visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the men's soccer schedule page then click the "live stats" link.
Follow the Titans!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titans athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/CSUF.Athletics), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) and YouTube.com (YouTube.com/csfathletics). In addition, the men's soccer team has established its own official Facebook (Facebook.com/csufmenssoccer) and Twitter pages (@CSUFMensSoccer).
A Look at the Series...
Cal State Fullerton vs. Loyola Marymount
Overall Record 13-3-0
Home Record 7-2-0
Away Record 6-1-0
Neutral Site Record 0-0
Longest Win Streak 8 games
Longest Losing Streak 1 game (3x)
Current Streak Loss, 1
Record in Last 10 Meetings 7-3
First Meeting
Nov. 17, 1776 in Fullerton, Calif. (W, 5-1)
Last Meeting
Sept. 7, 2012 in Los Angeles, Calif. (L, 0-1)
Series Notes: This will be the 17th meeting all-time between the two programs and the second consecutive season the two squads will be hooking up...last time the two teams played was Sept. 7 of last year. It was a game in which LMU was able to earn its first-ever home win, 1-0, (1-6 now vs. the Titans at home) vs. Cal State Fullerton, while also snapping what was a four-match losing skid to the Titans going back to Oct. 6, 1996...the lone goal in the match was scored by Pedro Velazquez, who is back this year for his sophomore season...largest margin of victory for the Titans over the Lions is four goals (4x, last 09.22.89)...Three all-time losses to LMU have all come by just one goal each, with two of the games ending in 1-0 results.
Looking at the Lions
Loyola Marymount enters 2013 with a wealth of experience, as it brings back five seniors, 10 juniors, and eight sophomores off a 2012 squad that was one of the youngest in the nation...the Lions are off to a 1-0 start after defeating Florida International 2-1 on opening night. It's an encouraging start for a squad that finished 2012 with a 6-10-4 overall record, while going 4-5-3 in conference play and finishing sixth...Sophomore Pedro Velazquez looks to be a strong force again for the Lions, as he garnered WCC Freshman of the Year honors a year ago after leading LMU in total points (14) and goals (6). He's also been selected to this year's preseason All-WCC team...The Lions have been picked to finish third in the WCC, according to the conference's preseason coaches' poll.
Cal State Fullerton vs. San Diego
Overall Record 10-11-3
Home Record 6-5-1
Away Record 4-6-2
Neutral Site Record 0-0
Longest Win Streak 3 games (2x)
Longest Losing Streak 4 games
Current Streak Win, 1
Record in Last 10 Meetings 4-4-2
First Meeting
Oct. 24, 1981 in Fullerton, Calif. (W, 4-0)
Last Meeting
Sept. 23, 2012 in Fullerton, Calif. (W, 2-1 OT)
Series Notes: This will be the 25th all-time meeting between the two programs and the second consecutive season the two squads will be hooking up...Fullerton's largest margin of victory vs. San Diego came in a 5-0 win on Sept. 16, 1987...The Titans' largest margin of defeat has been by four goals. It's happened twice, a 4-0 defeat on Sept. 8, 2002 and a 4-0 loss in 1990...The Titans haven't picked up a victory in San Diego since securing a 5-2 win on Sept. 18, 1998 (Fullerton is 0-1-1 during that span)...three of the last five contests played between these two clubs have been decided by one goal or less...Fullerton defeated San Diego 2-1 in overtime last season, but none of the three goal scorers from that game are back this season.
Scouting San Diego
San Diego enters 2013 with high expectations, ranked as the 28th best team in the nation according to the NSCAA. With that being said, the Toreros are coming off a 5-0 loss at the hands of San Diego State on opening night...San Diego returns a plethora of starters from a team that advanced all the way to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals a year ago, finishing 2012 with an overall mark of 14-9-0 and a second place conference finish (9-3-0)...the Toreros are anchored by seniors Elijah Galbraith-Knapp and Julian Ringhof, both of whom earned a spot on the WCC's preseason all-conference team...midfielder Galbraith-Knapp finished second on the team in goals (3) a year ago and was named a second team All-WCC member, while defender Ringhof earned third team NSCAA All-Region spot and second team All-WCC honors...the Toreros have been picked to finish second in the WCC, according to the conference's preseason coaches' poll.
Last Time Out For the Titans
For a second straight match, Cal State Fullerton was able to control the pitch, outshooting Albany 18-14 and winning the corner kick battle 9-5, but this time the Titans got the winning result they were looking for, holding on for a 2-1 win over Albany last Sunday afternoon at Matador Soccer Field in Northridge.
Fullerton (1-1) wasted no time in taking control of the contest, as defender Zach Bryan was able to head a ball in the back of the net in the fourth minute to give the Titans the 1-0 advantage, after midfielder Spencer Johnson played in one of Fullerton's five first half corner kicks from the left side.
Just minutes later, Fullerton would strike again, as Ritchie Gonzalez put in his first strike of the season in the eighth minute, after Jordan Wolff set him up following a deflection in the box.
The Titans continued to keep the pressure on in the first half, outshooting Albany (0-2) 11-4, producing six shots on goal, and winning the corner kick contest 5-1.
Despite going into halftime with a 2-0 advantage, the match was far from over as Albany was able to capitalize on a scrum in the box, as Dominic McGarr pushed the ball by a diving Bryan Escalante in the 61st minute to cut the Titan lead to 2-1.
Albany had one more big opportunity to tie the game in the closing moments, but the last second cross was booted away as the final ticks ran off the clock.
The win snapped what was a brief two-game shutout streak going back to last season.
In the Polls
Neither the Titans or the Lions are ranked in the NSCAA or Top Drawer Soccer poll...San Diego is ranked 28th in the NSCAA poll...the Titans are ranked 78th, San Diego is ranked 62nd, while LMU is placed at 83rd in the Bennent Ranking system.
How We Rank
It's early, but the Titans rank second in the Big West in saves (6), third in corner kicks (15) and goals against (2), while they rank eighth in both yellow and red cards issued with zero.
For Openers
Cal State Fullerton is 23-9-6 all-time in season home openers, but hasn't won a home opener since the 2009 season, defeating Saint Mary's 2-1...The Titans didn't lose their first home opener in school history until the 1988 season, as Fullerton went 9-0-4 before that loss.
Keeping their Cool
After leading the Big West a year ago in yellow cards issued with 44 for the season, through two matches the Titans are the only team in the conference that hasn't picked up a yellow or a red card.
Playing the Full 90
Cal State Fullerton has outscored opponents 2-0, outshot opponents 14-7, and have an 8-2 corner kick advantage vs. the opposition in the first half this season. However, the Titans have been outscored (0-2) and outshot (19-16) in the second half.
Streak Snappers
With the Titans' 2-1 victory over Albany Sunday afternoon, Fullerton snapped what was a brief two-game losing streak going back to last season. It also broke what was a two-game shutout streak.
What's Trending
Cal State Fullerton has won the corner kick battle in two straight matches, while either leading or tying in four consecutive halves...the Titans have either equalled or outshot their opponent in two straight games and four halves in a row to begin the season.
A Couple of Firsts
Defender Zach Bryan scored his first career goal last Sunday afternoon, while midfielder Jordan Wolff connected on his first assist as a Titan.
Mr. Efficient
Senior midfelder Ritchie Gonzalez has taken a total of just two shots so far this season, but both have been shots on goal with one finding the back of the net (tied for team lead in goals scored).
Milestone Moment
Cal State Fullerton's 2-1 win over Albany last Sunday marked head coach Bob Ammann's 50th career win as a Titan head coach...Al Mistri is the only other Titan head coach that has more wins with 264.
Shots Fired
After totaling 12 shots in their opener vs. Memphis last Friday night, the Titans collected 11 shots in the first half alone Sunday afternoon vs. Albany, while taking 18 for the game...Ian Ramos currently leads the team in shots taken with seven.
West Coast Swing
This week the Titans face a couple of tough tests from the West Coast Conference in Loyola Marymount (Sept. 6) and San Diego (Sept. 8). San Diego is expected to finish second in the conference while LMU was picked to place third according to the league's preseason coaches' poll. Sunday's game in San Diego will begin a season-long four-game road swing that will have the Titans traveling just over 8,700 miles in 15 days with stops at San Diego, Cornell, Colgate, and Nebraska-Omaha.
Recycled Notes
Men's Soccer Ticket Information
Single-game tickets for regular season matches are priced $5-$8. Tickets for future games can be purchased at FullertonTitans.com, in-person at Cal State Fullerton's Athletic Ticket Office (M-F 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.) or over the phone at 657-278-7547. Game day ticket sales will also be available starting one hour before kickoff at the ticket windows outside Titan Stadium.
All Cal State Fullerton students are admitted FREE to regular season men's soccer home games. Each student must present a valid Titan Card at the main entrance to Titan Stadium for admission. All student sections are general admission. Admission is first-come, first-served and based on availability. Just show your Titan Card for admittance.
Titans Tabbed Third in Big West Media Poll
Cal State Fullerton was selected to finished third in the Big West South Division according to the Big West preseason coaches' poll, which was released on Aug. 22nd by the league office, making the Titans favorites to earn a trip to the Big West Conference Tournament for a third time in four seasons.
Defending South Division champion Cal State Northridge garnered the respect of the league once again this year, as it was picked as the preseason favorite to win the South for a second straight year, collecting six first place votes and 30 points overall.
Orange County rival UC Irvine finished second in the South voting, earning 21 points overall (one first place vote), followed by the Titans (one first place vote) and UC Riverside, each accumulating 16 and 13 points respectively.
There was less of a clear favorite in the North Division with three teams being separated by four points or less in the polls.
UC Santa Barbara got the nod as the slight favorite to come out of the North Division, collecting five first place votes to go along with 25 points overall. 2012 North Division Champions UC Davis finished just behind the Gauchos with 23 points and three first place votes.
Traditional powerhouse Cal Poly also looks to contend this season, as it garnered 21 points to claim a third place spot in the poll, while Sacramento State was picked fourth with 11 points.
Straight From the Coach's Mouth
Be sure to visit www.fullertontitans.com and click on the men's soccer page to watch the 2013 men's soccer season preview video featuring head coach Bob Ammann.
Eyeing Ian (Ramos)
Junior Titan midfielder Ian Ramos was selected to the Big West's 11-man preseason all-conference squad. Ramos enters the season as one the most dynamic players in the league, as he led the Titans in points, goals, shots, and shots on goal during conference play a season ago.
A Brand New Look
A new team, a new year, and yes new jerseys. After being outfitted by adidas for numerous years, both the men and women's soccer programs have switched to new Nike kits for the 2013 season.
The home jerseys sport blue and orange horizontal stripes across the top with blue "Fullerton" lettering across the chest, complete with blue shorts and blue socks on the bottom.
The away jerseys for the men feature a white top with an orange sash with navy blue trim extending from the left shoulder down to the right hip. Orange "Fullerton" lettering is printed across the chest, along with shorts and matching white socks.
(A Lot of) New Kids on the Block
2013 truly represents a new era of Titan soccer, as the program welcomes in the largest class of new players in the Bob Ammann era, with 16 newcomers (11 freshman and five transfers).
New Experience?
While Fullerton holds one of the younger squads in the nation, that doesn't mean the Titans don't hold plenty of experience. Out of Fullerton's 11 newcomers, five of them are transfers in forward Marc Fenelus, midfielder Garrett Losee, midfielder Alex Cannas, forward Amara Soumah, and midfielder Erik Stephenson. Forwards Fenelus and Soumah were both named as NJCAA First Team All-Americans in 2012, while Fenelus also led Western Texas College to its first ever National Junior College National Championship appearance.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Cal State Fullerton boasts a rigorous eight-game non-conference schedule, which includes six games away from Titan Stadium. For the season the Titans will play four teams that are either ranked or received votes in the NSCAA's preseason top 25 poll. Fullerton will take on ranked opponents in back-to-back games on the road on Sept. 8 at No. 16 San Diego and Sept. 13 at No. 22 Cornell. Once the Titans enter Big West play, Fullerton will continue to take on top-tier competition, as it'll face Cal State Northridge twice and UC Santa Barbara once. Both schools received top 25 votes.
Road Trippin'
The Titans will play 11 of their 18 (61 percent) regular season games away from Titan Stadium this season, which is the most since Fullerton also spent 11 games away from home during the 2009 campaign. Six of Fullerton's eight non-conference games will be away from home, including six of the first seven contests to begin the year. The six non-conference games away from home are the most Fullerton has had since it played seven in 2008. The Aug. 30 regular season opener vs. Memphis will mark the first time the Titans have started a season on the road since 2010.
Roster Breakdown
The Titans currently have 29 players on the 2013 roster. 20 players are from the state of California, five are from outside of the United States, three are from Utah, and one is from Colorado.
Filling in the Holes
Cal State Fullerton returns just 26 percent (7) of the team's 27 goals scored last season, 55 percent (12/22) of all assists produced, and 46 percent of shots taken (139/299).
Better Chance to Dance
The Big West Tournament format has changed in 2013. Now instead of the top two teams from each division qualifying for the conference tournament, starting this year the top three teams from both the North and South divisions will advance to postseason play with each division's No. 1 seed receiving a first round bye, for a total of six teams in the field. The tournament schedule is as followed:
Tuesday, November 12 - First Round
Friday, November 15 - Semifinals
Sunday, November 17 - Championship