"Numbers on the Wall" was one of the motivational slogans coined by then-Cal State Fullerton women's soccer head coach, Ali Khosroshahin prior to the 2005 season. All women's and men's soccer teams that earn their way to the NCAA Soccer Tournament are honored by having their appearance year permanently affixed to a prominent wall in Titan Stadium. Qualifying and succeeding in the NCAA tournament became their all-encompassing goal. They would eventually become the most successful women's soccer team in Titan history.
After coming up short in the 2004 Big West Tournament, the focus and team-bonding necessary to prepare for the coming season started very, very early. A team trip to Germany was planned for the summer. This would give the team the opportunity to spend important time together, and importantly, to face European competition.
Sounds great, but where would that money come from? The student-athletes quickly became tireless fundraisers and organized everything from yard sales to car washes to finance the trip. They even went as a team to TV sitcom tapings, as audience member groups were paid to attend. Fans, friends, and family all became involved in the effort.
Per current head coach, Demian Brown, then a Titan assistant, "The trip to Germany really unified the group. There are elements of that trip that are still alive in our present-day team. For instance, the pre-game hand clap was developed during that trip."
Midfielder Kellie (Cox) Newman echoed those thoughts: "The entire European trip was an incredible bonding experience that brought us all closer to one another, which I really believe translated onto the field."
With a senior-laden lineup that included Marlene Sandoval, Kellie (Cox) Newman, Kandace (Wilson) Love, Lisa (Kosena) Forbes, Erin (Shelton) Jacobs, Ashley (O'Brien) Ickes, Rebekah (Patrick) Rothmier, and Erica (Pryor) Baldaray, the Titans were ready to take on the best in college soccer. Juniors, Karen Bardsley, Lauryn (Welch) Pehanich, Erica (Janke) Comte, and Marie Pederson would make significant contributions to round out the veteran squad.
Midfielder Erica (Pryor) Baldaray said: "We wanted to make a statement, and we wanted to make a lasting impression on the program. We were confident in our preparation and believed in our teammates, coaching staff, our vision, and our plan."
After being stunned by San Diego State in their opening match, the Titans stormed back finishing their non-conference season at 7-2, including wins over Auburn, South Carolina, Gonzaga, and Santa Clara. The Titans would outscore their non-conference opponents 20-6. The college soccer world began to notice Cal State Fullerton, and the team would be ranked as high as #5 nationally by Soccer Buzz.
A 1-0 loss to UC Riverside would be the only blemish on an 8-1 Big West regular season record. Again, the Titans were dominant, outscoring their conference opponents 21-4. The stage was now set for the
Big West Tournament. The winner would receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament.
By virtue of their finish atop the regular season standings, the conference tournament would take place at Titan Stadium. Fullerton shutout Pacific 1-0, then dismantled UC Riverside 4-1 as a payback for the earlier Highlander victory in the regular season.
The Titans were Big West champions and headed to the NCAA Soccer Tournament. Their initial match did not take them very far. As the 15th seed the Titans hosted the opening round against UNLV. The Rebels gave the Titans all they could handle before eventually securing a 1-0 win in overtime when UNLV scored an own goal.
Fullerton would next host #24 USC at Titan Stadium. Goals by Jenesa Bradshaw, Marlene Sandoval, and Lauryn Welch would give the Titans a 3-1 win. This would prove especially significant, as USC would hire away coach Khosroshahin following the 2006 season.
The NCAA Tournament run would come to a hard-fought conclusion in the Round of 16 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Despite a late goal by Kandace Wilson, Fullerton could not get past the host Virginia Cavaliers, and fell 2-1. A magical season was at an end, with the Titans final record at a remarkable 19-4-0.
When asked for a final memory, coach Brown remarked: "Beating USC in the second round was amazing. They (the 2005 Titans) were a fun group, but when it came time to game time, they were confident and aggressive."
Kellie (Cox) Newman had her own final memories of the 2005 season: "When I look back on the year now, it was a really a dream. We had so much fun… We had all been there before, we knew what to expect, and we all got along so well. We were just there for one another in a way that I had never experienced."
"We are forever bonded," said Cox. "A good majority (of us) still stay in touch 15 years later." The team will be long remembered for a stifling, hard-nosed defense, and a speedy, unselfish offense. 12 Titans scored goals during the season.
The Titan record book is overflowing with the accomplishments of the 2005 team.
· Most victories – 19
· Most matches played – 23
· Longest winning streak – 11
· Fewest goals allowed – 15
· Most shots – 409
· Fewest shots allowed – 161
· Most shutouts – 12
Individual Honors
· All-America, Second Team – Marlene Sandoval – Soccer Buzz and SoccerTimes.com
· All-West Region – Marlene Sandoval, 1st Team. Karen Bardsley and Kandace Wilson, 3rd Team
· Big West Co-Coach of the Year – Ali Khosroshahin
· Big West Co-Offensive Players of the Year – Kellie Cox, Kandace Wilson
· Big West Defensive Player of the Year – Marlene Sandoval
· Big West Goalkeeper of the Year – Karen Bardsley
· Big West Tournament MVP – Lauryn Welch
· All-Big West First Team – Karen Bardsley, Kellie Cox, Erica Janke, Lisa Kosena, Marlene Sandoval, Lauryn Welch, Kandace Wilson
· All-Big West Second Team – Rebekah Patrick, Erica Pryor, Erin Shelton
· All-Big West Honorable Mention – Ashley O'Brien