SAN DIEGO – The San Diego men's soccer team (1-3-4, 0-0 WCC) battled back from a two-goal halftime deficit to earn a hard-fought draw against Cal State Fullerton (4-2-2, 0-0 Big West) on Sunday afternoon at Torero Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Titans were able to strike early and often on the Toreros, beginning with an 18th minute goal from Giovanni Calderon.
• Cal State Fullerton added another goal from Sebastian Cruz in the 35th minute and held a 10-6 lead in total shots through the first half.
• The Toreros came out with energy in the second half, with an early attempt from Ross Johnstone ringing off the crossbar.
• Alex Churness was finally able to crack the Titans defense, scoring a low liner in the 62nd minute off a feed from Cesar Bahena to cut the lead to 2-1.
• San Diego kept the pressure going throughout the second half, while upping the defensive presence by allowing only two shots on goal for the remaining 45 minutes.
• Churness proved to be the hero in the 87th minute, scoring off a feed from Rhys Gourdie to secure a draw.
• Goalie Jason Dubrovich finished with three saves on 14 shots faced for the Toreros.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• The brace from Churness was the third of his collegiate career, after scoring two at Pacific on Feb. 28, 2021 and two at UCLA on Oct. 17, 2019.
• Bahena picked up the first point of his collegiate career on the feed to Churness.
• The Toreros earned their first two-goal comeback to secure a win or draw since Nov. 9, 2019, when they scored four unanswered goals to defeat Portland, 4-2.

 
UP NEXT
The Toreros will keep the brief homestand going on Wednesday, Sept. 21, hosting UNLV at 7 p.m., in Torero Stadium. The match will be streamed via the WCC Network.