FULLERTON, Calif. – With the game tied late in the second period, forward Brian Peek buried a shot in the top right corner of the net to lead the Titans to a 2-1 victory over Vermont Friday night at Titan Stadium.
Peek's goal came in the 77th minute of action and just minutes after he was put on the field as a substitute. It was his first NCAA Div. I goal after redshirting last year as a freshman.
FINAL: @CSUFMensSoccer come away with the 2-1 win over Vermont!
— Big West M-Soccer (@BigWestMSOC) September 16, 2017
Brian Peek the game-winner; Bass Sarr also a goal.#TusksUp | #PlayBig ��⚽️ pic.twitter.com/FjEN5ZqfOm
Forward Bass Sarr gave the Titans the lead in the 50th minute with the first goal of the contest, which was also his first goal in Div. I after transferring from Buffalo State. Sarr had several good opportunities in the game including a header where he was pulled down from behind inside the box that should have led to a penalty kick but was not called.
Vermont tied the game up in the 59th minute with a goal from Justin Freitas. Fullerton didn't let the quick response from the Catamounts discourage them as they went right back on the attack which eventually lead to the game-winning goal by Peek.
Once again the Titans outshot their opponent, recording 12 shots to Vermont's eight. Fullerton had eight shots alone in the second period and have now outshot its opponents in three straight matches. In addition, Fullerton earned eight corner kicks to the Catamounts just two. Five of the Titans corners came in the second period.
Alfredo Cortez played stellar in goal yet again for the Titans, recording his second straight win while improving to 2-0 on the season as well as in his career with Fullerton. Cortez made four saves in the game including a incredible diving save in the second period to hold Vermont to just one goal.
The Titans outplayed Vermont in nearly every statistical category, however, the most impressive aspect of Friday night's game was their ability to overcome injuries to key players. Fullerton was without two centerbacks in Corentin Ohlmann and Daniel Adoo along with its captain Nicolo D'Amato.
"Leadership within grinds out types of games like this, it has to come from the players not necessarily the coaches," said Head Coach George Kuntz.
The Titans look to add to their two-game winning streak Sunday evening as they host San Diego at Titan Stadium at 5 p.m. PT.
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