Highlanders Battle Back for 2-1 Win Oct. 18, 2003 – Fullerton, Calif.
UC Riverside's Luc Harrington tallied the game-winning goal in the 73rd
minute on a rocket from 24 yards out, lifting the Highlanders to a 2-1
victory over host Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night in a Big West
Conference men's soccer match at Titan Stadium.
Cal State Fullerton fell to 5-7-1 overall, 1-3 in the Big West, and lost
for the first time this season on its home pitch after winning four consecutive
matches at Titan Stadium. UC Riverside improved to 6-5-1 overall, 2-1-1
in the Big West.
In a fiercely competitve first half, sophomore Eugene Brooks got the Titans
on the board first in the 40th minute, taking a through ball from Sean
Gallinger in the box which was misplayed by the UCR goalkeeper, and shooting
into a wide open net for the 1-0 Titan lead.
The advantage was short-lived as UCR's Paulo Vellanoweth answered back
for the Highlanders with just 34 seconds remaining in the period. Vellanoweth
collected a ball from John "Trey" Lee and broke through a pair
of Titan defenders in the box, beating the Fullerton keeper to the left
post to knot the score at 1-1.
That set the stage for Harrington's heroics in the second half as he rocketed
a shot from the top of the penalty area past a diving Fullerton goalkeeper
and into the lower right corner of the frame to give the Highlanders the
2-1 lead.
The Titans, who outshot the Highlanders 16-11 for the match, had a golden
opportunity in the closing moments when a streaking Fullerton player was
tackled from behind at the very top of the box. A free kick was awarded,
however, instead of a penalty kick, but was lifted high over the crossbar,
preserving Riverside's lead.
Josh Alexander made five saves in net for UC Riverside in the victory
while Sam Reynolds made three saves on the night for the Titans.
The match was delayed 1:20 at the outset due to late arriving officials.
The Titans return to action on Wednesday (Oct. 22) at 7 p.m. when they
hit the road to face UC Irvine at Anteater Stadium.
