Sept. 1, 2014 Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The USD men's soccer team (1-0-1) played Cal State Fullerton (0-1-1) to a 0-0 draw Monday evening at Torero Stadium. In a match that featured nine yellow cards and a red card, the Toreros outshot the Titans 14-8 (11-4 after halftime), but couldn't find the back of the net despite Fullerton playing with a man down for the last 40 minutes.
Playing in front of over 1,600 fans, both teams played tough physical defense all evening. Neither squad managed a shot or corner kick for the first 27 minutes. The first shot came from Fullerton in the 31st minute; Ian Ramos had an opportunity from the top of the box, but senior defender Julian Ringhof was in the right place at the right time and was able to block it and clear the danger.
The Toreros' first chance came shortly after in the 33rd minute when Eric Budniewski had a one-timer off a nice through ball, but Titan keeper, Jeff Salt, was able make a sliding stop.
The Titans had two opportunities in the final minutes of the first half. In the 43rd minute, Torero keeper Thomas Olsen kept it tied when he made a diving stop off another shot by Ramos, this one coming off a cross. A minute later, the Titans' Mark Vasquez had an open net after Olsen punched the ball out, but Merlin Hoeckendorff cleared the ball just before it could cross the goal line. Both teams managed three shots in the first frame, with the Toreros accumulating three yellow cards to the Titans' one.
The Toreros had their best chance early in the second half, when Connor Brandt was held and fouled inside the box to set up a penalty kick. Brandt, who connected on a PK in the first game of the season, had his shot blocked by the 6'6" Jeff Salt who dove to his left just in time to make the save.
In the 70th minute, after five combined yellow cards had already been issued, Mark Vasquez from Fullerton received a red card, forcing the Titans to play a man down for the remaining of the match. The Toreros continued to put pressure on Fullerton, but couldn't crack the Titan back line.
In the 79th minute, the Titans had their best look. Following a Torero defensive miscue, Myles Lark had a one-on-one with Olsen, but the Torero keeper made a nice sliding stop to preserve the shutout.
In the second extra time period, Dave Musambi, who scored two goals in the season opener, had a chance to end it, but a Titan defender made a last second block. Fullerton's Jeff Salt (0-1-1) made eight saves, and Olsen made two (1-0-1) in his first career start.
The Toreros will embark on their first road trip of the 2014 season when they head to Sacramento State for a 5:00 p.m. match on Friday.
