By Bill Sheehan
The Big West Conference's preseason poll wasn't kind to the Cal State Fullerton men's soccer team. The Titans were ranked eighth among 11 schools, and that didn't sit well with Sebastian Cruz and his teammates.
"That was bulletin board material for us. We carried that every game as motivation," said Cruz, a 5-foot-7 midfielder. "They counted us out on Day 1, and now we are in position to get in the playoffs and prove everyone wrong."
Fullerton, 8-5-5 overall and 3-2-3 in conference play, face CSUN (7-5-4, 4-3-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Titan Stadium. It's the final regular season game for both teams and Fullerton's Senior Night.
The Titans, who are in fifth place in the conference, would advance to the six-team Big West Men's Soccer Championship with a win or a tie against CSUN. They would also advance with a loss if UC Davis ties or loses at Sacramento State.
"Overall, we are really confident heading into the game," said Cruz, who leads Fullerton with eight goals and 22 points and is tied for second in assists with six. "We're excited it is at home. But at the same time, we know what's at stake. We are ready to battle."
George Kuntz, the Titans head coach, also knows this is crunch time. "We try to portray every Big West contest as a 'tournament game,' but now it's real. You get it done or you don't."
The Titans have only lost once at home this season – a last-minute 1-0 defeat last Saturday to Sacramento State – but the coach says playing at Titan Stadium only helps to some degree. "It's better to being at home. But some people get into a comfort zone when playing at home. You still must earn it."
Kuntz, who is in his eighth year at Fullerton, calls Cruz an exceptional player who excels at setting up attacking plays and making his teammates better.
"Sebastian is in a different stratosphere. I have coached a lot of MLS players, a lot of guys who have played on the national team or junior national team. He ranks up there as one of the really class guys because he does so many things and he does them all well. He has a future beyond college if he wants."
"He plays extremely well under pressure. He'll often have an opponent on his back or be double-teamed, but he is still able to do extraordinary things to get the ball and create for us. He's two steps ahead of everyone. He would have even more goals and assists if everyone were on his level."
Cruz, whose dream is to play professional soccer at the Division 1 level in the U.S. or overseas, credits Kuntz's coaching style for helping him to improve each year.
"Coach Kuntz is the reason I came to Fullerton. His style of play is different than others'. He lets players play to their strengths. It helps us win a lot of games," said Cruz, who is a senior academically.
Cruz started in all 20 games in 2019 as a freshman, collecting two goals and four assists as 12-7-1 Fullerton reached the Big West Tournament semifinals. He was named to the Big West All-Freshman Team.
The 2020 season was cancelled because of the pandemic. In 2021, the Titans dropped to 3-11-3, but Cruz's strong play continued. He started in all 17 games, leading the team with 17 points on seven goals and three assists. Three of his goals were game winners.
Still, Kuntz thought Cruz could raise his skill levels. "At the end of last season, we pointed out that most of his goals had come on penalty kicks and that he needed to score from the run of play. We asked him to take a greater role in 2022, and he's done just that."
Cruz was born in Fresno and raised in Kerman, a San Joaquim Valley city of 16,000 people. His journey to Fullerton had many twists and turns.
After competing for local youth soccer teams – Cruz started play at age 4 -- he joined the San Jose-based De Anza Force Soccer Club at 13. His family drove him on the 5½-hour round trip from Kerman to San Jose four days a week for 2½ years. Over the years, he showcased his talents at training events and tournaments across California, the U.S and Europe, including competition in Northern Ireland and Italy.
Seven-year-old Sebastian Cruz is suited up for his youth soccer team in Kerman, a city of 16,000 people in the San Joaquin Valley.
He also played at soccer academies in Croatia and Mexico before moving to Kansas City, Mo., in 2018 to join the United Soccer League's Swope Park Rangers, now called Sporting Kansas City II.
Cruz said he enjoyed his two years in Kansas City. "Sporting Kansas City has a winning culture and treated us well. I became more professional and mature as a player and a person. Kansas City is a great city and has really nice people. And the barbecue is great."
While he's missed his family and friends during his relocations and travels, Cruz said he learned to adapt. "When you are committed to your passion and dream, it makes it easier knowing why you are away from home.
Sebastian Cruz spent two years in Kansas City, Mo., competing for the United Soccer League's Swope Park Rangers, now called Sporting Kansas City II.
The 22-year-old Cruz comes from a soccer family. He had several uncles who plays collegiate soccer. His sister Isabella, 18, is a freshman midfielder for the Fullerton women, who play UC Irvine in a Big West tournament opener at 5 p.m. Sunday at Titan Field. His 14-year-old brother Alexander is a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy Academy.
Cruz's parents are both educators. Jesus is the superintendent and principal of the Washington Colony Elementary School District in Easton, seven miles southwest of Fresno. Aydee is a counselor at Madera South High School.
Jesus said his son is very humble and always plays for the team. "His soccer IQ is amazing, He has great vision and technical abilities, with a great touch with the ball," he said.
"Sebastian has always loved soccer – playing it and watching games. There were always soccer balls all over the house. He's pursued his dream to play professional soccer but has always kept up with his studies."
Cruz is a kinesiology major who aims to graduate in spring 2023. He has one year of eligibility remaining. Cruz is undecided if he will continue his collegiate career or try to launch his professional career.
After his soccer days are over, he envisions working as an athletic trainer or a physical therapist. But his immediate thoughts are centered on helping the Titans reach the Big West tournament.
"We were already eliminated at this time last year," said Cruz. "It's a great feeling that we control our own destiny. We are very close to getting that championship that we have looked for since my freshman year."
#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/i6zajWdoHe
— Titans Men's Soccer (@FullertonMSOC) October 28, 2022
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