Cal State Fullerton women’s soccer overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Long Beach State 2-1 on Wednesday at George Allen Field, scoring twice in the second half to secure a victory on the road against its Big West rival.
The Titans trailed 1-0 at halftime before junior Jenna Rivera and redshirt junior Skye Johnson scored to complete the comeback. The win improved CSUF’s overall record to 7-2-5 and its conference record to 4-0-2.
“I think we grew a lot today,” said Head Coach Demian Brown. “I think the first 45 minutes was not a very good reflection of who we are, what we’re capable of.”
Long Beach State controlled much of the first half, outshooting CSUF 9-1 and earning four corner kicks. The Beach took the lead in the 38th minute off a free kick, putting the Titans behind heading into halftime.
CSUF goalkeeper Allison Craycroft kept the game within reach, recording five saves during the match. The Titans needed a stronger offensive response after managing just one shot in the opening half.
The Titans equalized in the 63rd minute when Rivera scored off a sequence assisted by senior Camryn Cruz and redshirt senior Kaylin Raibon. The goal shifted the momentum in the Titans’ favor as they continued to press for the winner.
Johnson delivered the decisive goal in the 76th minute, finishing a set piece assisted by freshman Riley O’Brien to put CSUF ahead 2-1.
“We definitely train whipping the ball in and running in,” Johnson said. “I think I was able to just get my head on it, but it’s something we definitely train, and I’m happy we were able to execute today.”
The goal highlighted the importance of CSUF’s preparation on set pieces as the team capitalized on its opportunities in the second half.
“I think as a team, we were definitely not playing the way that we should have been in the first 45 minutes,” Rivera said. “We gave them more credit than they really should have had.”
Rivera added that the team responded by increasing its effort and working together after the break.
“We did not want to quit and give up, and we just kept working and grinding it out,” Rivera said. “Not every game’s gonna be pretty, but… we grinded through it, which is what we’re known for as a program.”
Brown credited the team’s response to a strong halftime message, saying he reminded the players of their identity and what they could accomplish.
“I had to remind them who we are,” Brown said. “The way they responded to my voice and to my encouragement is really encouraging.”
The Titans will look to carry their second-half momentum into their next conference matchup against Cal State Sacramento on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.