Anteaters Double-Crossed by Titans 2-1
October 16, 2015 | Women's Soccer
IRVINE, Calif. --- Women's soccer fell just short of the winning line Friday night in Anteater Stadium slipping 2-1 to Cal State Fullerton.
The play of the game might have come in the 13th minute on the 'Eaters' first shot. Junior Sammie James, who was making her first career start at defender, lined up a set piece from 40 yards out. Her lob carried over Titan keeper Jennifer Stuart, clipped the crossbar, and bounced in and out as play carried on.
The ball appeared to cross the line, but no call was made and the match continued to be scoreless to the halftime whistle.
"If we got that goal in the first few minutes from Sammie's free kick, I think it would have changed the outlook of the whole game," said an adrenaline-filled Alex Karlowitsch. "We had a very high intensity the whole game. We need to learn to finish and get more of those opportunities."
The opportunities fell for Cal State Fullerton (11-2-1, 3-1-0) who converted in the 58th and 63rd minutes. The duo of Christina Burkenroad and Rebecca Wilson fed each other to claim a goal and an assist each and put the Titans up 2-0.
UC Irvine (5-8-1, 1-2-0) went on the attack burning home seven shots down the stretch to get back in the match.
"We're never going to give up, it doesn't matter what the score is we're going to keep fighting the whole game. It's disrespectful to give anything less than our best."
Karlowitsch and the crew showed that fight getting a goal back with 56 seconds left in the match as sophomore Grayson Galbraith funneled a ball from her defender position threading it to a streaking Karlowitsch who danced and Stuart inside the left post and make it a one-goal deficit.
The 'Eaters ran out of time, however, and dropped its second straight conference match by the score of 2-1.
The goal was her second on the season, third of her career, and puts her at 11 points in her first two seasons. Galbraith's assist is the first of her career, and third point joining a goal as a freshman.
Corey Tobin made numerous clearances to keep CSUF out for much of the match, and posted three saves as well. Stuart stopped a pair of shots for the Titans.
UCI got strong efforts from freshmen Aleah Kelley and Shelby Lee making their first career starts. Senior Shauna Salcido also made her season debut entering in the 74th minute on the backline.
The 'Eaters still have a match to make up on most of the conference with one of those coming on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6:00 p.m. as the Duke's Black and Blue Rivalry Series is renewed on ESPN3 against a motivated Long Beach State squad that also lost 2-1 Friday night to UC Riverside.
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