By Bill Sheehan

With three Big West games remaining and a conference playoff berth at stake, the stakes couldn't be higher for the Cal State Fullerton's women's soccer team.

Fullerton, which is 11-2-1 overall and 4-2-1 in conference, is tied for third place in the Big West with UC Irvine. The two teams will square off Thursday at 6 p.m. at Titan Stadium. Fullerton closes out its conference regular season at home Sunday at 5 p.m. against Long Beach State and at Cal State Bakersfield Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.

It's been a season of high highs and low lows for the Titans. The team opened with a 12-game unbeaten streak. Forward/Midfielders Isabella Cruz, Camryn Cruz and Sail Bozinovic each earned Big West Offensive Player of the Week honors. Goalie Isaac Ranson did them one better, being named Big West Defensive Player of the Week twice. Ranson broke Titans Hall of Famer Karen Bardsley's all-time career record of 312 saves in a victory at UC Riverside on Sept. 25


Isabella Cruz and Isaac Ranson embrace after a win. Isaac Ranson became the all-time leader in Saves, Shutouts, and Minutes Played for the Titans this season. 

But tragedy occurred two days later when Titans soccer team members Ashlyn Gwynn and Lauren Turner were critically injured after being struck by a box truck while riding e-scooters.

"I have been completely impressed and in many ways in awe of our players for being as resilient and focused as they have been given what it is we have been dealing with," said Demian Brown, who is in his 19th season as Fullerton's head coach. "The way they have huddled around each other and huddled around Lauren and Ash -- it's been awesome to see they have that type of character."


Head Coach Demian Brown talks to the team after a win at home

As the Titans prepare for their Big West stretch run, Brown said the team's primary goal is to regain consistency in its offensive attack. "In the early part of our season, our attack was incredibly consistent. We ventured away from some of the things we typically do, and we just need to get back to those things."


Taya Townsell (L), Isabella Cruz (M), and Camryn Cruz (R) celebrating after a win at home where the Titans are 6-0-2 this season

"We solved some things through training, and we looked really good at UC San Diego," he said, referring to the Titans' 1-0 win last Sunday. "Using all that as a catalyst for this coming weekend, I think we are in a good spot."

After Tuesday practice, six of Fullerton's top players took time to reflect on the season past and future. Joining Isabel Cruz, Camryn Cruz, Bozinovic and Ranson were midfielder-defender Jenae Perez and defender Taya Townsell. The conversation was edited for length and clarity.

Fullerton went undefeated in its first 12 games. What kind of confidence boost did that give the team?

Perez: That was exactly what we needed to show what we were capable of. Confidence in the past has been an issue with this team. This season is the first time where we have a solid foundation, and we know that we can get the job done.
Ranson: It really brought our team together. The great start gave us so much confidence and a strong belief in ourselves and our coaches. It was like, 'We're doing something right, so let's keep doing it.'
Camryn Cruz: Demian told us that this was something that we had never done before. We were riding on this high of being super, super confident and believing in what we were doing and what we were playing like. We knew if we continued to play, we would stay undefeated.
Townsell: It brought us closer and closer together. The streak pushed us to want to win for each other and work for each other, on and off the field.

The Titans have had to cope with the severe injuries and hospitalization of teammates Ashlyn Gwynn and Lauren Turner. What has helped the team get through this difficult time?

Camryn Cruz: We really stress this idea of family. We have talked multiple times about how Lauren and Ashlyn are warriors, and they are fighting so we must do the same. We do it for them, and we do it because of them.
Bozinovic: The concept of family. We all support each other, and we've received so much support from the school and the community.
Townsell: It's just made our season bigger than anything. We have so much more to play for. Every time we step on the field, it's for them 100%, whether it's in the weight room or at practice. We know not matter what we are doing, we are representing them.
Isabella Cruz: It helped that we were a tight-knit family, even before this happened. Their strength is our strength. They give us the strength to go every day
Perez: Having each other. I want to give a lot of credit to our coaching staff. Demian, Jackie [Bruno], Lawson [Vaughn] and Kellen [Wilson] are insanely supportive. They remind us how much they love us and how much they are here for us.

Fullerton is tied for third place in the Big West with three games left. What are some things the team must do to keep winning and secure a top-6 finish/first-round berth in the Big West Championship?

Townsell: We can't allow teams to dictate the way we play. We do an amazing job when we stay true to ourselves as a team. That takes a lot of discipline as well as communication. Having confidence in ourselves as well as our teammates is so important.
Ranson: Be a lock-down defense. Don't let them get a lot of shots off. Score a lot of goals. Connect your passes. Make good plays. That's the basics of it.
Isabella Cruz: Continue working to improve, through watching film and practicing. The only thing we can focus on is ourselves -- and to try to win out the next three games.
Bozinovic: This late in the season, everyone has tired legs. Everyone needs to focus and push forward through the last few games.
Perez: Just keep doing what we are doing. Follow the plan as Demian would say. We have the talent. We have the team chemistry for sure. We all love each other. We all love the game. At the end of the day if that's what we have as our foundation, the winning will come

Do you have a message for the fans of Fullerton women's soccer?
Isabella Cruz: Thank you for the continued support this season and keep watching because we are doing something special here.
Townsell: We couldn't do without you. Thank you so, so much for all your support, especially with what we have been going through this season. For example, our crowd's energy the night we beat Hawaii in early October was unforgettable.
Perez: We appreciate their support all the time, especially during times like these. It's hard for us players to get opportunities to tell everyone how much we appreciate their support. It really gets us through the season.
Camryn Cruz: Continue your support. We need everything that we can get. Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you soon.
Ranson: Thank you for your continuous support through all my five years. Thank you for the support for our two teammates. We have felt a lot of love and prayers from our fans, the Big West and other teams in general. Thank your always being there for us.
Bozinovic: Keep supporting us. We love you guys.

SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitansTickets.com. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday. 

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

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.