Sept. 24, 2006

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - Cal State Fullerton's Eugene Brooks scored two first half goals and assisted on the game-winning score in the second half to lift the Titans over UNLV 3-2 in collegiate men's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The loss leaves the Rebels still looking for their first win of the year, sending them to 0-6-2, while CSF improved to 4-4-1 on the season.

The Rebels held one-goal leads twice in the first half, but the Titans quickly answered both scores. Martin Kenny started the scoring for UNLV in the 31st minute. Marcos Balladares brought the ball down on a breakaway and passed off to the left side to Kenny, who sent a shot to the far right post for the score. Brooks tied the game less then a minute later, when he collected a pass from Jacob Shumway in the box and scored in the 32nd minute.

Balladares gave the Rebels the lead again in the 35th minute, thanks to a blast from 20 yards out that sneaked past Titan goalkeeper Kevin Puder into the left corner. CSF knotted the score again on a Brooks goal, when a cross into the box bounced off UNLV goalie Calvin Bailey's hands to Brooks' feet, and he quickly sent it into the goal in the 44th minute.

Both teams had their chances to score in the second half, but the game-winner would come from the Titans, and again Brooks factored in the play, as he drove down the right side and sent a high short lob to the far side of the left post. Ben Hofstetter then headed the ball in and though Bailey caught the ball, it was ruled to have crossed the goalline, giving CSF a 3-2 lead in the 70th minute.

Bailey finished with four saves in goal for UNLV, while Puder posted four as well. UNLV held a 15-11 edge on shots, though the Titans had eight corner kicks to just two for the Rebels.

UNLV will now open MPSF play, beginning with a road game at Air Force on Friday at 6 pm (PST), followed by a Sunday 12 pm contest at Denver on Sunday.