Sept. 4, 2005
Auburn, Ala. – A penalty kick goal from Marlene Sandoval in the ninth minute was enough for Cal State Fullerton to defeat South Carolina 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at the Auburn Reebok Classic. The loss snaps USC’s three-game winning streak. Carolina is now 3-1 on the season with Fullerton also 3-1 on the year.
“The effort was there for us today and the players did what we asked,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “They followed the game plan and it’s unfortunate to give up an early goal on a penalty kick. We were dangerous at times on the offensive third but we didn’t finish. Over time, you will get that goal and you finish the chance but it didn’t happen for us today.”
Sandoval’s penalty kick goal came early at 8:03 after Fullerton midfielder Kellie Cox was tripped up in the box by a Carolina defender resulting in the penalty kick.
Facing its first deficit of the season, Carolina put together two good opportunities midway into the first half. Junior forward Darcel Mollon beat a Titan defender into the box and knocked a shot that went past CSF goalkeeper Karen Bardsley but went just wide left of the goal box. The 31st minute also saw a shot from sophomore midfielder Erin Sullivan that was saved on the goal step by a Titan defender and credited as a team save. The first half saw just those two shots from Carolina and the one penalty kick from the Titans.
The second half was the same with Mollon coming up with another chance with just over 28 minutes remaining in the match. Erin Sullivan played a through ball to Mollon, who beat Bardsley with a shot but the CSF defender saved the ball before it went into the goal. The pressure continued in the last 10 minutes with Carolina on the doorstep several times but the Gamecocks could not find the equalizer.
Mollon had three shots on the afternoon with Sullivan also coming up with two to lead USC. Carolina outshot Cal State Fullerton 9-6 on the afternoon despite the loss. Carolina goalkeeper Lindsay Thorstenson had one save on the afternoon and played all 90 minutes in goal.
Cal State Fullerton finishes off the Auburn Reebok Classic as the only undefeated team after defeating Auburn 2-1 in double overtime on Friday evening. South Carolina went 1-1 over the weekend with a 2-0 victory over Rhode Island in the tournament opener on Friday afternoon.
South Carolina returns to the Palmetto State and will next be in action on Friday, Sept. 9 when the Gamecocks travel to the upstate to renew its rivalry with Clemson. South Carolina will also face Charlotte on Sept. 11 at Riggs Field and join with Furman to make up the four-team Carolina Cup. Live gametracker stats will be available at uscsports.com as well as live audio with Richard Rowell calling the action on Friday night.
