The Titans stumbled into the Big West Tournament and are winless in their last four matches. They play UC Davis on the road Saturday. (Winnie Huang/Daily Titan File Photo)
The Cal State Fullerton men’s soccer team headed to Northridge Wednesday to wrap up their regular season against the Matadors.
The match was a must-win for both squads, with Cal State Northridge trailing the Titans by one point in the Big West South Division standings for the final spot in the conference tournament.
CSUF got the night started on a positive note as Mark Vasquez scored in the 38th minute to give the Titans an early edge.
Vasquez streaked down the center of the pitch and blew by multiple Matador defenders with his speed before slotting the ball low and left of CSUN goalkeeper Adam Hobbs. It was Vasquez’s first goal of the year, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as it seemingly energized the Titans after a lackadaisical start.
However, this lead was short-lived as Juan Samayoa fired back in the 42nd minute to even the score just before the half.
In the final minute of the first half, Matador forward Carlos Gonzalez collided with Titan goalkeeper Jeff Salt, but no foul was called; much to the displeasure of CSUF Head Coach George Kuntz.
Salt quite possibly saved the Titans’ season in the 58th minute by blocking a penalty kick from CSUN’s leading scorer Sagi Lev-Ari.
The Titans almost saw their season end in the 68th minute when a Northridge shot got behind Salt but hit the post.
CSUN shot themselves in the foot in the final minutes of regulation. Midfielder Yarden Azulay got back-to-back yellow cards for dissent.
The Matadors had to play with 10 men for the rest of the match.
Fullerton almost grabbed the win in the 90th minute. Hobbs made two incredible saves to take the game to overtime and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Both teams were aggressive in the first overtime period.
Senior forward Marc Fenelus made a break for the net right after the opening whistle of the period. He broke through the Matador defense, but his shot sailed over the goal out of play.
Soon after, the Matadors had the ball on the Titans’ half of the pitch, but the defense held them off and the two teams headed to the second overtime.
The second overtime was fast-paced with CSUN frantically trying to win and continue their season.
Northridge got a shot on goal, but Salt dove to his right to make the save.
The Titan defense tightened up and preserved the 1-1 tie, which qualifies them for the Big West Conference Tournament. CSUF will be taking on UC Davis in a do-or-die match Saturday.
Fullerton lost their only matchup with the Aggies 3-1 in Davis on Oct. 2.
They will look to avenge their previous loss and keep their season alive against the second-best team in the Big West North Division.
Davis features a balanced offense similar to the Titans, as the Aggies have no player with more than four goals on the season.
Davis rotated goalies early in the season, and sophomore Armando Quezada has made that move pay off by allowing just eight goals in 11 Big West matches.
Salt will need to continue his stellar play against the consistent Aggies offense. Salt has allowed only 14 goals in 14 starts, which has allowed for the Fullerton offense to not have to overcompensate throughout the year.
Seniors Fenelus and Garrett Losee will look to lead the Titans offense and perform better against their higher-seeded Big West foes.
Fullerton has not won a match in their last four times out on the pitch, and that is a trend that must change if they want to continue their 2014 season.
As the last team to qualify for the tournament, the odds might seem stacked against the Titans.
However, CSUF has come together against strong opponents all season and hope to do the same en route to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2000.