The UC Riverside women’s soccer team opened its 2003 Big West Conference
schedule with a 2-0 shutout over visiting Cal State Fullerton Sunday afternoon.
It is the sixth shutout of the season for the Highlanders.
Both teams played a tough, hard-fought match and it wasn’t until
early in the second half that the Highlanders (7-3-2, 1-0-0 Big West)
were able to score the first goal.
On a throw in deep in the UCR territory, Angela Reling was able to control
a rebound off a header, then feeding it to Ashley Stephens just to the
left side of the goal. Stephens was able to power it past the keeper on
a left-to-right shot into the back corner of the net to give UCR a 1-0
lead in the 56th minute.
Stephens helped put the second goal on the board in the 72nd minute, driving
the ball into the penalty box where Dani Geiger was able to head it right
over the hands of the leaping keeper to give the Highlanders a 2-0 lead.
The Titans (6-5-0, 0-2-0 Big West) had plenty of chances to score and
kept the pressure on the Highlander defense the entire game. Tawny Poggio
made 10 saves in the match for UC Riverside, on 13 shots faced.
Fullerton had a slight 13-10 advantage on shots taken with Kandace Wilson
and Vanessa Valentine each taking four shots, all on goal, in the game.
Seven Highlanders had a shot in the game, with Jessica Armel leading the
way with three. Renee Scachetti and Lisa Jensen each had a pair of shots.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action on Friday (Oct. 10) when they take
on Santa Clara at 5 p.m. at Titan Stadium.
