Sept. 11, 2011

Box Score

Las Vegas, NV - Jesse Escalante finished his only chance of the match in the 40th minute and Nick Posthuma found the top corner with his head Sunday in the 51st to lead the Cal State Fullerton (4-0-1) to a 2-0 win over the University of San Francisco (1-4-0) in what was the championship game of the UNLV Nike Invitational.

The win gave the Titans their second tournament title in as many weeks, coming on the heels of the Labor Day Classic championship in Northridge.

Escalante opened the scoring when he received a pass at the top of the box from Posthuma, Escalante made a swift turn and placed it low and to the far post past past diving USF keeper Brendan Roslund making the score 1-0 going into the break.

After the restart, Posthuma added two more points to his game total after Mario Alvarez played a gorgeous out-swinging cross from 30 out over the USF keeper near the far post. Posthuma finished the chance with a diving header back across the goal into the top corner leaving the USF keeper stranded at the top of six-yard box.

The Titans outshot the Dons, 16-6, throughout the match including a 10-1 advantage in the first half of play.

With the 2-0 lead the Titans looked to their constant pressure and high intensity to secure the rest of the match. With a well organized back line and a talented keeper orchestrating the bunch, the Titans held the Dons to three shots on goal. Trevor Whiddon made the three saves to secure his third shutout in this young season. Whiddon and the Titans have only given up two goals this season, with one being a penalty kick.

Earning all-tournament honors were Whiddon, Roberto Vernaschhi, Ritchie Gonzalez and Escalante.

"I am so happy for the team -- the focus and determination in doing things properly have been evident while the results have been very just," said Head Coach Bob Ammann.

"The team's defending has been exemplary and their confidence is growing with each match. We have already put this recent result behind us and are looking forward to preparing for American in DC on Friday."

CSUF returns to play next week when the Titans venture out to Washington DC Friday to play American University and take on George Mason Sunday in Virginia.

FROM THE BENCH: The Titans got a third win on the trip when their alumni team defeated a UNLV alumni team, 4-3, on Saturday night with the current varsity leading the cheers. Coach Bob Ammann scored the game-winning goal as teams from three generations competed. The two alumni teams will meet again next season in Fullerton.