LAS VEGAS, NV. - Cal State Fullerton women's soccer super senior Vanessa Buso scored twice in the final 17 minutes to earn the Titans a 2-2 draw against UNLV on Sunday afternoon at the Peter Johann Memorial Field.

The Titans (2-5-1) were riding a 5-game losing streak heading into the match against the Rebels and facing a scoreless streak that extended to a program worst 530 minutes and 23 seconds before Buso finally the breakthrough goal for the Titans. 

The game was a deserved draw after the Titans outshot the Rebels 16-to-15 with a 10 shot on goal to 7 shot on goal advantage.  The Titans also had 9 corners to the Rebels 5 corner kicks.

It was almost deja vu to start the game again as the Rebels thought they had scored in the second minute of the game but the goal was called off for offsides.  Kaylee Noble also had a goal called off for offsides a few minutes later for the Titans.  UNLV scored the first goal of the game in the 26th minute off another defensive mistake by the Titans.  A defender for the Titans stepped up to stop a ball at midfield but the Rebels were able to it get past her and create 2-v-1 advantage against the other Titans center back.  Mallie Ramirez was able to beat Ranson on a 1-v-1 shot to put the Rebels on top. The Titans had five registered shots after the Rebels goal to end the first half but went into the halftime break down 1-0.

The Titans started the second half with half of the starters on the bench and UNLV doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute.  Cassie Villanueva was able to beat the Titans defense after a bad giveaway from the Titans defense to put the Rebels up 2-0.

After the Rebels second goal, the Titans subbed in most of their starters for the final 25 minutes.  In the 73rd minute, the Titans subbed in the senior midfielder Vanessa Buso who was making her third appearance of the season and first in five games. Karla Rodriguez started the play and passed the ball down to Isabella Cruz down the left side.  She made a move past her defender and whipped in a cross and on Buso's first touch of the game she curled a shot into the right side of the net to break the Titans scoreless streak and make it a 2-1 game.
 

73 ' | BUSOOOOOOOOO!! The senior midfielder checks in and makes an immediate impact on her first touch of the game!

CSF 1, UNLV 2#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/sj0P8g1SOO

— Titans Women's Soccer (@FullertonWSOC) September 15, 2024

The Titans were pressing for an equalizer and had a great chance in the 80th minute after Kaylee Noble latched onto a loose ball in the box but was only able to shoot it right at the Rebels keeper. The Titans finally were able to find the equalizer in the 88th minute.  After a corner kick was granted to the Titans, their ninth one of the game, Kaylee Noble sent a ball into the box that deflected off Isabella Cruz's head.  Buso was able to drive a shot that somehow evaded all the traffic in the box into the far left corner of the goal to tie the game at 2-2.  
 

Checks into the game. Scores two bangers.

Vanessa Buso is HER!

CSF 2, UNLV 2#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/wONHWaEpnl

— Titans Women's Soccer (@FullertonWSOC) September 15, 2024

The Titans were able to see out the final two minutes of the game as substitute goalkeeper Hannah Griffin earned the draw for the Titans.  

After being on the road for the past thee games, the Titans will close out their non-conference slate of the schedule on Thursday against LMU.  Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM.  Before the game, the Titans will hold a pregame ceremony for their five seniors (Graci Raymond, Karla Rodriguez, Vanessa Buso, Makenna McGill, and Olivia Peraza) and add another senior who graduated in the spring, Jaden Hall. 

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