Sept. 27, 2008

Box Score

Peoria, IL - Celso Alvarez scored in the 79th minute to cap a second-half rally that carried Cal State Fullerton to a 2-1 non-conference men's soccer victory at Bradley.

Alvarez chipped the ball past on-rushing Braves' goalkeeper Drew Van Kampen with 11:07 to play for his team-leading fourth goal of the season and the Titans held on to improve their record to 3-7. Bradley, which had not allowed more than one goal in any game this season, fell to 4-3-1.

Bradley led 1-0 at the half on a goal by Chris Cutshaw, his fifth of the seaosn, in the 9th minute. A throw in by Brad Snook and a short pass by Rudy Garcia set up the score as Cutshaw beat Titan keeper Kevin Puder.

The Titans tied the match in the eighth minute of the second half. Mario Alvarez scored on a diving header off a pass from Kevin Venegas with Ryan Kaylor getting an assist for the first pass.

"I am so happy for the boys," said Head Coach Bob Ammann. "We finally got the result that we deserved against a tough opponent in a hostile environment on the road. This team is starting to believe in itself and its character is really developing.

"I thought the game was similar to many we have had this season. We dominatied most of the first half only to find ourselves down, 0-1. I was extremely pleased with our attitude and keeping to our plan. The result was just and very much deserved. It was a great final tuneup in preparation for our league opener at SLO on Wednesday."

The Titans outshot Bradley, an NCAA Tournament participant a year ago, 22-12. Van Kampen had to make a career-high 8 saves. Puder made 6 saves in getting his second win of the year. Each keeper made outstanding first-half saves to keep the score down.

Fullerton opens Big West Conference play Wednesday night in San Luis Obispo.