Sophomore defender Mitchell Bell slides to kick the ball away from Romario Lomeli in the 3-0 win over UC Riverside. (Courtesy of The Highlander)
The Cal State Fullerton men’s soccer team continued their path toward the Big West Tournament championship Wednesday, downing UC Riverside 3-0.
Fullerton faced Riverside for the third time this season, and was looking for their first win against the Highlanders after having tied the two previous matches.
The first game of the season between both sides ended in a 1-1 tie at UC Riverside Soccer Stadium, while the second game ended 2-2 at Titan Stadium.
Both matches were physical affairs, with Riverside committing 49 fouls over both legs and Fullerton committing 48.
The game at Titan Stadium saw two Riverside players earning red cards.
Titan Alex Cannas also went off with a leg injury in what was his and 11 other teammates’ senior night. Cannas has not played since.
After that game, CSUF forward Marc Fenelus spoke out about the disappointing tie. “For me, it’s the biggest disappointment of the season because we played for more than 10 minutes with two men up, so we should have definitely won the game. There’s no excuse about that,” Fenelus said.
However, the Titans did not disappoint Wednesday night.
Fullerton couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game.
Right before the fifth minute, Highlander Stephen Copley pulled down Fenelus as the Titan forward was gearing up for a one-on-one with UCR goalkeeper K.C. John.
The referee blew the whistle, awarding Fullerton the penalty and sending off Copley in the process.
Ian Ramos stepped up to take the spot kick and converted from 12 yards, giving CSUF the early 1-0 lead. The goal was the senior’s fourth of the season, and second in the last two games.
The Titans doubled their lead in the 12th minute. On the right flank, junior defender Colin Okirie played the ball forward to Ramos, who sent a cross to Fenelus. Fenelus struck the ball from 12 yards, putting the Titans ahead 2-0.
The Highlanders tried to respond two minutes later via a Hector Romo shot, but they failed to convert.
However, the Titans were whistled for a penalty in that same minute, giving Riverside the opportunity to cut the deficit.
Michael Salazar stepped up to take the spot kick for the Highlanders, looking to put them back in the game. Titan goalkeeper Jeff Salt, however, had other ideas. Salazar took the shot, but Salt guessed correctly and made the save.
The stop was Salt’s second penalty save in the last three games, having also denied Cal State Northridge last week in the regular season finale.
In the 27th minute, Romo tried again to put UCR on the scoresheet, but Salt came up big again and denied the Highlanders once more. Riverside tried to flurry in the next eight minutes, firing off five shots, but each time they were denied.
Neither side was able to generate much despite a few chances for the rest of the first half, and CSUF went into the break with the 2-0 lead.
The second half saw both sides exchanging shot after shot, but nothing came of it until the Titans scored their third goal in the 75th minute.
Fullerton freshman Diego Sanchez got on the end of a Mark Vasquez cross and put the final nail in the Riverside coffin.
With the 3-0 win, the Titans will head back to Irvine to take on UC Irvine at Anteater Stadium. The previous two games between Irvine and Fullerton ended in 1-0 wins for the Anteaters.
The Titans will look to cause the upset and win the Big West Tournament Championship on Saturday.