For the Cal State Fullerton men’s soccer squad, a 2-0 first half helped hold off a late surge from the Antelopes of Grand Canyon University for a 3-2 win.
The Titans have scored first in the last five games. In three of those matches the opposition has come from behind and stolen potential victories from the Titans. Saturday night’s matchup against Grand Canyon University was another nerve-rattling encounter that left a nice taste for lovers of all things drama.
Yet the first ever meeting between GCU and CSUF was a game that saw both teams attacking freely in open space with little inhibitions. Both teams showed a rapid and direct approach to offensive execution. The teams were seesawing for supremacy throughout the game. The Titans were in control in the first half and the Antelopes came back to life in the second half.
The Titans capitalized convincingly in the first half. CSUF jumped out to an early lead for the sixth time in eight regular season games so far this season and after 40 minutes they led by two goals.
“I thought our first half was excellent and we scored two goals that were very good,” Head Coach Bob Ammann said. “We created a lot; we had a lot of chances.”
Junior right winger Ian Ramos scored off a Spencer Johnson corner kick in the 25th minute of the match. Ramos positioned near the far post and outmuscled his marker to strike the opening goal off the encounter. The Titans have been resourceful with their set pieces so far this season. They have scored five of their 12 goals off of corners in 2013.
“It’s all about the service, service is the key. We have made it a point with the players we have the ability. We have to use corners for our advantage,” Ammann said.
Seven minutes later, in the 32nd minute, junior forward Marc Fenelus received a gift from the Antelopes’ defense. Fenelus was about 12 yards away from goal, anticipating a cross from David Beary on the right side. Fenelus looked to be in a losing battle against two taller center backs who were marking him very closely. As soon as the ball reached Fenelus, both center backs stumbled and lost their balance. This mishap allowed him plenty of time and space to pound the ball home, making it 2-0 for the Titans.
Recent history would come to haunt the Titans in the second half. So far in the season, the Titans have had trouble with putting games away. Just like in previous games, the opposition responded strongly and the Antelopes attempted to steal a victory. Grand Canyon’s leading goal scorer Kyle Ciliento narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the 57th minute. The Antelopes were noticeably weary before Ciliento’s goal, but their goal re-energized them.
GCU outshot the Titans 10-4 in the second half but the Titans weathered the brief storm. Later in the 67th minute, freshman midfielder Steven Ortiz hit the eventual game winner and scored his first goal of the season, making the score 3-1. The play began on a counterattack and Fenelus was penetrating on the right flank intent on scoring, but opted to pass behind the six-yard box.
“When I had the ball I lifted up my head and saw the goal really close to me but I wasn’t in the right angle so I decided to dribble and make the cross. I didn’t lift up my head when I made it and I’m glad Steven put it in the back of the net,” Fenelus said of his assist.
The Titans were still in hot water due to Alberto Sanchez-Garcia taking advantage of a Titan misplaced pass. Goalkeeper Robbie Hannon, making his second start in a row, was beaten off a strong right-footed strike.
“The goals weren’t goalkeeper issues, more field player issues that we need to minimize,” Ammann said. “Their second goal made it a challenge.”
GCU’s second half goals injected them with adrenaline and left the Titans with growing anxiety.
“I think, perhaps, we got a little bit complacent. It was nerve-racking after they scored the second goal,” Ammann said.
The Titans hung on after a fervent barrage in the closing stages from GCU. Fresh off of a two-game winning streak, the team’s spirits are much improved from earlier in the season.
“We’re feeling really good with the two wins that we’ve strung together, we’ve definitely deserved them,” junior midfielder Mark Vasquez said. “It builds the team’s spirit, and even when we’ve had our losing streak, we always try to emphasize team spirit and keep being positive and not get ourselves down.”
The next chapter for the Titans’ season is the start of Big West Conference play. CSUF will begin Big West Conference play on Friday at UC Santa Barbara and Sunday at Cal Poly Pomona.
For more information on the CSUF men’s soccer team and updates on all Titan Athletics, go to FullertonTitans.com.