Box Score
FULLERTON, Calif. - The Cal State Fullerton Titans women's soccer team defeated UC Irvine 2-0 at home on Thursday night at Titan Stadium.  

The Titans (4-4-7, 2-1-3 BWC) scored two goals in the second half to exact some revenge on UCI (4-5-3, 1-1-2 BWC) who knocked the Titans out of the Big West Tournament at Titan Stadium last October.  

The Titans did a great job absorbing UCI's pressure in the first half and headed into the break with an 11-to-3 shot advantage in the Anteaters favor.  Jenae Perez, the UCI transfer, marshaled the midfield for the Titans and won almost every header and tackle sent her way.  She was also going up against her twin sister who started for the Anteaters.  

The second half nearly started the same way before the Titans scored the first goal of the game.  In the 56th minute, Isabella Cruz held the ball up and passed it to Olivia Peraza who dribbled inside the box where she was taken down by a UCI defender.  Cruz stepped up inside the box to score the penalty kick and she scored her second straight penalty kick in two games. 
 

.@bellacruzz10 ??from the spot#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/oQuFf1YClc

— Titans Women's Soccer (@FullertonWSOC) October 6, 2023

After the Titans goal, it allowed the Titans to play looser and open up the UCI defense as the Anteaters were pushing for an equalizer.  Kaylin Raibon had a header hit the crossbar in the 67th minute on a corner kick and Makenna McGill had a shot saved from the 6-yard spot in the 87th minute.

On the ensuing corner kick.  The Anteaters quickly gained control of the ball and pushed it up top to Alyssa Moore.  Mia Ranson made the biggest of her seven saves of the night after stopping Moore 1-v-1.

88 ' | Mia Ranson with the game-saving save! ?#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/Xs8kSYAaqf

— Titans Women's Soccer (@FullertonWSOC) October 6, 2023

The Titans then went straight on the counter attack and Kaylee Noble played a perfect through ball to McGill who's initial shot was saved by Glo Hinojosa.  However, she spilled the ball right back to McGill who was able to bury it and ice the game for her first career collegiate goal.
 

First. Collegiate. Goal. Makenna McGill ??

?? @nataliamedinafv #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/JvJRS64b6A

— Titans Women's Soccer (@FullertonWSOC) October 6, 2023

The Titans hung on to pick up their second win in conference play and have secured at least a point in five straight games.  
 
The Titans will look to keep the positive momentum going as they head to La Jolla on Sunday to take on the UC San Diego Tritons.  Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m.

WATCH THE TITANS ON ESPN+
Titans fans can now watch every home event exclusively on ESPN+. Cal State Fullerton has built a top-tier production studio to give the viewers an ESPN quality production for all games at Titan Stadium. Additionally, all schools in the Big West Conference are committed to producing ESPN quality streams which will allow fans to watch the Titans on ESPN+ for all road conference games.

FOLLOW THE TITANS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans), and Instagram (FullertonTitans). In addition, the women's soccer team has established its own Twitter (@FullertonWSOC) and Instagram accounts (@FullertonWSOC).