FULLERTON, Calif. – Two goals in the matter of seven minutes and seven seconds proved to be the difference for the Cornell men's soccer team Sunday night. The Big Red defeated Cal State Fullerton, 2-1, to advance to 4-2 on the season. The Titans fell to 2-3-3.
"We came of age tonight," said Cornell head coach
John Smith. "Our second half performance was incredible. When you take into consideration the fact that we had one less day of rest than Fullerton, it really highlights how resilient this group is. To be 4-2 after our first six games -- with five of them on the road and our home game being against a national powerhouse -- is a fantastic statement as we move toward the middle portion of the schedule."
Szabolcs Wiksell played a part in both of the Big Red's goals, scoring the first and assisting on the second.
After a few strong opportunities in the early stages of the second half came up empty, the Big Red finally got on the board in the 66th minute.
Charlie Ferguson sent a beautiful ball to
Harry Fuller, who was stationed to the right of the net. Fuller used some creativity to both draw the keeper towards him and make space for the centering try. The sophomore sent the ball to the opposite post where Wiksell headed in his first career-goal as a member of the Big Red.
Cornell's second goal came of the foot of
Emeka Eneli. The freshman from Dublin, Ohio, collected the ball from Wiksell with the keeper out of net. With a defender near him, Eneli patiently fielded the ball and tapped in his third goal of the season.
This marks the third time that the Big Red has found itself in a 1-0 deficit and ended up winning the contest.
The Titans first goal of the game came 16 minutes into the contest. After
Ryan Shellow made a series of impressive stops, the Titans kept offensive pressure. Ross McPhie sent a strong shot beyond the reach of the junior goalkeeper.
Shellow finished the game with three saves and picked up his fourth win of the season.
The Big Red returns action on Friday when it hosts Niagara at 7 p.m. at Berman Field.
