Cal State Fullerton sophomore Kandace Wilson scored the game-winner in
the 78th minute and junior Kellie Cox added a goal as the Titans held
off Mexico in a 2-1 exhibition victory on Thursday night in front of 412
fans at Titan Stadium.
The two teams played to a scoreless first half, but Mexico held the advantage,
outshooting the Titans, 15-6, including a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Wilson had the Titans' best chance in the first half, just over a minute
into the match. She blew by the defense, breaking into the box on the
left side and letting loose a shot which was saved nicely by goalkeeper
Pamela Tajonar Alonso going to her knees and popping the ball out of play.
Cox had another nice chance later in the half, streaking down the right
side unopposed, but her cross was deflected out by Mexico's defense with
Wilson within striking range.
Senior goalkeeper Laura Janke, who played in only three matches last season
due to injury, was kept busy in the opening period of play, making six
saves.
Cox got the Titans on the board after the break thanks to a brilliant
through ball from Wilson, catching Cox streaking down the right side and
shooting far post past a diving Jennifer Marie Molina Shea, who entered
the match at the start of the second half, to make it 1-0.
Wilson showcased her speed in the 78th minute, stealing the ball at midfield
and blowing by three defenders and over the goalkeeper, chipping it in
uncontested for a 2-0 Titan lead.
Mexico got a goal back in the 86th minute when a cross by Patricia Perez
Pena went through the hands of a leaping Karen Bardsley, finding the head
of Teresa Guadalupe Worbis Aguilar, who nodded it in and cut the deficit
to 2-1.
That was as close as Mexico would come as Cal State Fullerton bled off
the final 4:19 to clinch the victory.
Mexico held a 22-14 advantage in shots, but the Titans narrowly won the
second half, outshooting their opponents 8-7.
The 2003 SOCCER TOWN Classic begins on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. as UC
Irvine takes on Fairleigh Dickinson. Action continues on Monday (Sept.
1) as the Anteaters face San Diego State at 1 p.m. and the Titans open
the regular season against the Knights at 3 p.m.
