Aug. 25, 2007

Box Score

FULLERTON, CA - Cal State Fullerton junior Jenae Gibbens and senior Randa Helmers each tallied second half goals to help lift the Titans to a 2-0 exhibition victory over visiting Biola University on Saturday night at Titan Stadium.

Gibbens netted the game-winner in the 54th minute on a header off a corner kick by senior Candice Byler that squirted past two defenders to the right post for the 1-0 lead.

Helmers added an insurance tally 79th minute, also off a corner kick. Redshirt freshman Geminesse Martinez sent a ball to the far left post that found Helmers waiting as she pushed the ball through traffic in the box for the 2-0 advantage.

Redshirt junior goalkeeper Shayla Sabin posted the shutout in net for the Titans, making one save on the night as the defense allowed only three shots by the Eagles.

The two sides played to a scoreless first half with the home team applying most of the pressure. The Titans, who outshot the Eagles by an 8-1 count in the opening period, had two chances to score early on, but Christina Murillo's header in the box went high and Kristen Boujos' rocket was wrangled by Biola's Lauren Gregston.

Sophomore Diana Signoriello added a close-in chance late, grabbing the ball on the right wing and firing far post, but Gregston, who made 10 saves on the night, was up to the task, tipping it wide to preserve the scoreless tie.

More pressure from the Titans to start the second half resulted in another golden opportunity. Boujos, who led all players with six shots on the night, fired a rocket from the top of the box that hit Gregston in the chest and bounced free. Senior Lauren Cram then followed the rebound, but her shot from seven yards went high left.

Biola's best chance to score came in the 16th minute as Gabby Jolin's header off a corner by Bethany Wikfors hit the near post and bounced away.

Fullerton opens its regular season next weekend as one of four teams at the UNLV adidas Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. The Titans will meet the host Rebels on Friday night (Aug. 31) at 7:30 p.m. in the first meeting between the two schools since they met in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005.

Cal State Fullerton will then close out tournament play against Idaho State on Sunday morning (Sept. 2) at 11 a.m.