FULLERTON, Calif. – Junior Rebecca Wilson netted two second-half goals as the Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team used an offensive splurge to defeat Idaho State, 4-1, on Thursday night at Titan Stadium.
Fullerton's (2-5-2) four goals marked a season high for the Titans as CSF recorded its second multiple-goal game of the year.
"This is a great example of what we have when we are focused and motivated at going out and winning games," head coach Demian Brown said. "The difference in tonight's match versus matches that we've dropped was our ability to physically be aggressive and attack the goal with the mindset that scoring was the ultimate goal. This gives us the opportunity to rest and get ready for a very good Pepperdine team, and we will continue to stress the mentality and the attitude to go out and win games early."
The Titans wasted little time Thursday night, taking five corners in the first 10 minutes of the game before finally breaking through on the fifth as Colleen Ortega's delivery curved in at the upper near post, surprising Idaho State (3-3-0) goalkeeper Sheridan Hapsic in the 10th minute.
Less then than four minutes later in the 12th minute, a quick throw-in from Jazzmin Mancilla allowed Tala Haddad to find space on the left side as the rookie sent a cross all the way through the box, drawing out Hapsic, and allowing Christina Burkenroad to hammer home her first goal of the year at the far post.
The Titans took a 2-0 lead into the half and in the 53rd minute Wilson scored Fullerton's third goal as Burkenroad played a through ball to Wilson on the right wing. Wilson's first touch deflected off a defender, leaving her a clear one vs. one path with Hapsic, and scoring her second goal of the year.
Less than five minutes later in the 57th minute, Wilson scored her second goal of the game and third of the year, dispossessing an Idaho State defender at the top of the box, and beating Hapsic with a bullet to the top right corner.
Idaho State added its only goal in the 78th minute as Titan freshman goalkeeper Morgan Bertsch made a diving save on Maria Sanchez's point blank shot, but the Titans couldn't control the rebound which fell to Amanda Ellsworth for her seventh goal of the season.
Bertsch played the final 14:05 in goal after redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Jennifer Stuart made one save in over 75 minutes of action.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action at 7 p.m. next Thursday, hosting currently 12th-ranked Pepperdine.
Notes: Cal State Fullerton recorded its second multiple-goal game of the year and for the second time this year a game was decided by more than one goal…the Titans scored two goals in the second half for the first time this year and for the second time this year scored first in a game…the all-time series against Idaho State is now even at 1-1-1…the Titans scored four goals for the first time since a 4-1 victory at Pacific on Oct. 28, 2012...the Titans snapped their streak of three straight losses at Titan Stadium…Cal State Fullerton has scored 11 goals this season by eight different players as Wilson leads the team with three goals...Chloe Gharios appeared in her first game as a Titan.