SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Christina Burkenroad's strike in the 67th minute clinched the Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team a spot in the Big West Tournament championship match as the Titans shut out CSUN, 1-0, on Thursday evening at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in semifinal action.
Fullerton (9-7-4), the No. 1 seed in the tournament and 2014 Big West regular season champion, will play Long Beach State at 1 p.m., Sunday in the title game for the right to earn the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Long Beach State advanced past Cal Poly on penalty kicks, 5-4, in the second semifinal match after the teams finsihed regulation and overtime tied at 0-0.
In the 67th minute, Cal State Fullerton was awarded a free kick on the left side of the field, and senior Brianna Chapman launched a drooping cross toward the far post that was headed by Morgan Batcheller. CSUN (7-11-2) goalkeeper Jovani McCaskill was able to make the initial save, but Burkenroad, the reigning Big West Offensive Player of the Week, found the rebound and hammered it high into the back of the net.
It was the fourth goal of the season for the San Diego, Calif., native, and she has now totaled seven points in her last three games with three goals and one assist. For Batcheller it was her second assist of the year, both coming on game-winning goals, while Chapman totaled her fourth set-up the year – all for game winners – tying for second in Cal State Fullerton single-season history.
CSUN held an 11-6 shot advantage in the match, but just a 4-3 edge in shots on frame as Cal State Fullerton goalkeeper Jennifer Stuart made three saves and recorded her fifth shutout of the year.
Sunday's match will mark Fullerton's sixth overall appearance in the tournament title game as well as the team's third straight, losing to CSUN in 2012 and clinching the title over UC Riverside on penalty kicks in 2013.
The Titans aim for their fifth Big West Tournament title at 1 p.m., Sunday at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Fans can watch the game on Fox Sports Prime Ticket.
Notes: Cal State Fullerton will be making its sixth appearance in the Big West Tournament championship game: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014…the Titans are unbeaten in their last nine matches (7-0-2), their longest undefeated streak since producing an 11-match winning streak from Oct. 7-Nov. 13, 2005…Cal State Fullerton's six-match winning streak is the longest for the program since winning 11 straight from Oct. 7-Nov. 13, 2005… the Titans are an undefeated 8-0 when scoring the first goal of the game…Cal State Fullerton holds a 6-4-4 overall record at the Big West Tournament and a 2-1-2 record in Big West Tournament title games, wining titles in 2005 and 2006 by way of victories and clinching tournament crowns by way of penalty kicks in 2007 and 2013… Cal State Fullerton leads the all-time series with CSUN 13-6-1 and the teams are even at 1-1-0 against one another in the Big West Tournament…the Titans recorded their seventh shutout of the year…in regulation, CSF has outscored opponents 26-13....Brianna Chapman has delivered four game-winning assists in 2014, tying for second in program single-season history.
