NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Rebecca Wilson's penalty kick goal in the 57th minute propelled the Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team to 1-0 shutout of CSUN at Matador Soccer Field on Sunday night.
"I am very proud of our program tonight," head coach Demian Brown said. "This was a hard-fought victory against a very good CSUN team. We will build on this to prepare for upcoming matches."
The win for the Titans (4-7-4, 2-0-2 Big West) snapped the Matadors' (7-8-1, 4-1-0 Big West) four-game winning streak as CSUN suffered its first loss in conference play. The Matadors remain at the top of the Big West standings with Cal Poly as the Mustangs also have four wins for a total of 12 points.
The Titans are now fourth in the league standings with eight points, but are the only undefeated team in conference action. The top four teams advance to the Big West Tournament. Cal State Fullerton has four matches remaining.
Fullerton was without starting goalkeeper Jennifer Stuart after the sophomore received a red card in a match with Long Beach State on Oct. 9, and freshman Morgan Bertsch was inserted back into the lineup after starting the first four games of the year.
The rookie made five saves en route to the first win and shutout of her career.
CSUN held a 16-7 advantage in shots, although placing only five attempts on frame. CSUN goalkeeper Jovani McCaskill was forced to make three saves.
Fullerton returns to action at Titan Stadium on Thursday, hosting UC Irvine at 7 p.m. The Titans will then host UC Riverside at 6 p.m.
Notes: Cal State Fullerton is the only team currently undefeated in Big West Conference action…Rebecca Wilson leads the Titans with eight goals, and her total is the most for a Titan since Christina Murillo score eight goals in 2010…Wilson has scored seven goals in the Titans' last seven games...the Titans shut out their fourth opponent of the year…after suffering an injury against Michigan State on Aug. 24, defender Serena Smith-Banas returned to action on Sunday…Fullerton won its third road game of the year and its second in Big West play…Cal State Fullerton has scored 16 goals this season by nine different players as Rebecca Wilson leads the team with eight goals…of Fullerton's 16 goals, 12 have been scored in the second half, and only three times have the Titans scored the first goal of the match…CSF leads the all-time series with CSUN, 12-6-1 overall and 9-4-1 in Big West Conference play…in regulation, Cal State Fullerton has outscored opponents, 16-10...13 of Fullerton's 15 games this season have been decided by one goal or less.