Oct. 22, 2008

Box Score

Fullerton, Calif. - Nick Posthuma, T. J. Detviler and Shay Spitz each scored a second-half goal as Cal State Fullerton erupted for a 3-1 Big West Conference men's soccer victory over visiting UC Riverside.

The win was the first conference victory and first at home in six tries for the Titans (4-11-1, 1-4-1) while UCR fell to 4-10-1 and 1-5-0. Three goals were a season high for Fullerton, which had manged only two goals in its previous five home matches.

After a scoreless first half in which UCR outshot Fullerton, 3-1, freshman Posthuma made a perfectly timed run down the middle of the pitch and converted a crisp cross from Jose Gomez, beating goalkeeper Ryan Schmitz from the top of the penalty box two minutes into the period.

The second Titan goal came 11 minutes later off a corner kick. Spitz sent a ball to the far post, Matt Sanders headed it back in front of the net and sophomore Detviler booted in the loose ball for his first collegiate goal and a 2-0 lead.

The third goal came in the 73rd minute. Gomez sent a lead pass to the left flank and Spitz dribbled down the field and beat Schmitz from a sharp angle.

The Highlanders avoided the shutout when Joel Crompton drilled a free kick from about 25 yards out into the upper right hand corner with about 7:30 to play.

"It was great to finally get in the win column at home as well as our first 3 points in league," said CSF Head Coach Bob Ammann. "I thought the first half was one of our poorest, but credit to the boys they came out of the locker room more determined and did well with the chances. Scoring quickly opened up the field for us and we did a good job exploiting those spaces."

Freshman goalkeeper Trevor Whiddon made 4 saves and got his second collegiate win in 7 starts for the Titans, who host UC Santa Barbara on Saturday night.