Cal State Fullerton junior striker Kandace Wilson
scored 16 seconds into the first overtime to lift the Titans to a 3-2
victory over host Cal State Northridge on Sunday afternoon at Matador
Soccer Field.
Fullerton pulled even with a 7-7-1 overall record and moved to 3-1-1 in
the Big West Conference. Northridge, which was previously unbeaten in
league play, fell to 11-3-1 overall, 5-1 in the Big West.
The Titans took the first possesion in overtime and never let Northridge
touch the ball. Leslie Munoz fed a through pass to Kellie Cox up the left
side of the field. Cox fed a crossing pass that met with a sprinting Wilson
in the middle of the goalie’s box. Wilson extended her foot, touching
the ball once and past Karen Comstock for the game-winner. The goal was
the second of the match for Wilson and her team-leading seventh of the
season.
Fullerton had controlled the ball for most of the match, outshooting CSUN
by a 21-14 margin. Rebekah Patrick gave CSF the lead as she tipped in
Lauren Cram’s pass in the 52nd minute. Wilson added what seemed
to be an insurance goal in the 77th minute. Erica Janke lobbed in a pass
from 25 yards out that Wilson met with her head for a 2-0 lead.
That's when the Matador offense kicked in, scoring twice in a span of
36 seconds to force the extra period. Constant pressure led to Kaitlyn
Kelly getting fouled in the box for a CSUN penalty kick. Brianna Monka
slammed the ball to the lower right of the net for her team-leading sixth
tally of the year.
Northridge kept pressing and found the equalizer in the 84th minute. Casey
Dodd took a crossing pass from Kelly and drove the ball in from 10 yards
away to even the score at 2-2.
Comstock made a season-best 12 saves in the loss. Karen Bardsley made
four saves for the Titans. Wilson and Erin Shleton had five shots apiece
to pace Fullerton. Monka and Dodd had three shots for Northridge.
The Titans return to action next weekend as Fullerton plays host to Utah
State on Friday (Oct. 22) and Idaho on Sunday (Oct. 24) in the final homestand
of the year.
