UCLA
Cal State Fullerton
UCLA Downs Cal State Fullerton, 3-2
September 26, 2010 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 26, 2010
Fullerton, Calif. - In a back-and-forth contest in 100 degree heat in Fullerton, UCLA defeated Cal State Fullerton, 3-2, to improve to 5-2-1 on the season. Bruin freshman Reed Williams scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute.
UCLA scored the game's first goal at 32:40 after Eder Arreola's cross found Evan Raynr at the right post. Raynr tapped a shot past Fullerton goalkeeper Trevor Whiddon for his second goal of the season. Andy Rose also was credited with an assist on the play. Raynr also saved a goal just minutes later, clearing a header by Nelson off the line. But on the resulting corner kick, Nelson would not be denied, heading in the equalizer at 34:40.
The Bruins had a few chances to regain the lead before the half ended. Eder Arreola had a pair of shots in the final seven minutes go just wide right, and Michael Roman had a header hit the crossbar in the 45th minute. Ryan Hollingshead had previously hit the right post in the 22nd minute.
Cal State Fullerton had a good chance to take the lead in the 51st minute on a Anthony Rosales breakaway opportunity, but his shot went wide. In the 54th minute, Arreola, on a give-and-go with Victor Chavez, was stopped by Whiddon again. Arreola broke through at 63:14 with the go-ahead goal, his first of the year. Hollingshead set up the play with a steal and feed to Arreola on the left side.
The Titans still had some life in them, however. In the 71st minute, Jesse Escalante had what looked to be a sure goal from the right side, but Bruin defender Joe Sofia cleared the ball off the line to preserve UCLA's lead. At 75:05, Fullerton evened the score at 2-2. Ritchie Gonzalez passed up on a shot from the top of the box and instead fed Nick Posthuma, who finished for the tying goal.
A tough far-post pass by Patrick Matchett set up Williams' game-winning goal at 84:07. Battling a Fullerton defender at the baseline, Matchett sent the ball acorss the field and fed Williams, who shot past Whiddon for his second goal of the season.
In the final minutes, Fullerton put a ball into the box that was pushed out of bounds by Rowe. On the resulting corner kick, Posthuma fired a shot wide of goal that ended the Titans' final scoring chance.
UCLA starts Pac-10 Conference play on Friday, Oct. 1 against Washington at Drake Stadium.
