IRVINE, Calif. --- A boisterous crowd of 1,231 filled Anteater Stadium to watch a deadlocked, 0-0 draw play out in a penalty kick shootout between Big West South rivals, UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton, in the Big West Tournament Final Saturday night with the Titans doing UCI one better to break the tie.
The tournament's MVP, Titan keeper Jeff Salt, stood tall in the shootout knocking aside two Anteater attempts, and forcing Mario Ortiz's deciding shot wide left off the post to clinch the title for Cal State Fullerton (10-7-6, 3-4-3).
Michael Breslin made a valiant effort in net stopping a PK of his own to level the contest after two rounds, however, Salt was just a little bit better.
Salt made four saves in regulation including a pair of rockets from Eduardo Calzada, which he would tip over the crossbar, and Michael Sperber, who would redirect a clearance through traffic and right at Salt who gained control after initially fumbling around with it.
Breslin was fed a steady diet of Titan shots stopping eight in all to set a season high. Three saves came in the overtime periods as the Titans outshot UCI, 5-1.
UC Irvine (14-5-3, 4-5-1) made a rousing push in the second half outshooting CSUF, 10-4, after a first half that saw possession hold even between the sides despite the 8-5 shot advantage for the Titans.
CSUF had the two best chances to end it before PKs starting with Ian Ramos' shot late in the second half. His right-wing attempt slid towards the far, left post before Breslin could get a glove on it. The ball trickled towards the touchline with a Titan attacker and 'Eater defender converging on it forcing it past the goal for a Titan corner kick.
The Titans regrouped early in the first overtime period as Marc Fenelus' low, lining cross one-hopped into the six-yard box to Ramos who volleyed it directly over the net.
The shootout session would start ominously with Salt punching Gor Kirakosyan's attempt away. A Fenelus make put CSUF up after one round.
Mats Bjurman hit a gorgeous ball into the roof of the net to tie the shootout making way for Breslin to stone Ramos as he went right to even the session.
Salt would take the advantage back to the Titans stopping Matthew Tilley's attempt followed by makes from Robert Coronado, Cameron Iwasa, and Julian Okai before the crushing blow to the left post by Ortiz.
The Anteaters' next step will be determined Monday, Nov. 17, as the NCAA Selection Show will reveal the bracket of 48 for the NCAA men's soccer tournament at 10:00 a.m. The show will be online at NCAA.com as UC Irvine looks to earn an at-large berth to the tournament.
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