Box Score (PDF)

FULLERTON, Calif. -- Chris Smith drilled a goal off a rebounded attempt  in the 29th minute and No. 20 Cal State Northridge held on to win, 1-0, in the final regular-season home match for Cal State Fullerton.

With the win Northridge improves to 13-4-1, 5-3-1 on the season and remains in second place in the South Division. Fullerton drops to 6-10-1, 3-5-1 but remains in a tie for third place with UC Riverside in the division.

The Titans were not without good opportunities to score, as an active front line put pressure on the Matadors late, but the defense was able to escape and goalkeeper Damien Lewis picked up the win for Northridge. Late, Amara Soumah broke open with a strong move past his defender, but the resulting shot went wide and the Titans were not able to make another significant strike down the stretch.

Robbie Hannon got the start in goal for Cal State Fullerton and he and the defense had several highlight moments as the potent Matadors offense took 15 shots on the night. Impressively in the first half, after several deflected shot attempts had Hannon on the ground, two different Titan defenders were able to block shots and, in one case made a spectacular bicycle kick save on a ball that would have found the back of the net without the heroics. Hannon went on to record five saves.

"We felt we played very well at their place a few weeks ago. We had some good opportunities to score, but also made small errors that you just can't make when you're playing a team as good as they are," Bob Ammann said after the match.

"In a conference like the Big West where the game is played fast and physical, you just can't have any lapses and, unfortunately we did. Still, it all comes down to Saturday's match and we have to come back and be ready for that," Ammann finished.

Fullerton travels to Riverside for the Saturday night contest at 7 p.m.