Bjornsson Scores Twice Early as Gauchos Win 2-1 at Fullerton to Extend Big West Unbeaten Streak to 13
Steinar Bjornsson scored in the 17th minute and again a few minutes later at Titan Stadium. Hughie Eaton pulled one back for Fullerton in the 67th minute, but Santa Barbara held on.
The UC Santa Barbara men's soccer team beat Cal State Fullerton 2-1 on Saturday night at Titan Stadium, Cal State Fullerton Athletics reported. Steinar Bjornsson scored both Santa Barbara goals early, and the Gauchos held off a second half push to take the Big West match.
Bjornsson opened the scoring in the 17th minute, Fullerton reported. A few minutes later, he scored his second goal of the match to extend Santa Barbara's lead to 2-0. Fullerton's recap notes that the Titans allowed two goals in the first 24 minutes, and KEYT reported that Bjornsson's two early goals were enough to carry the Gauchos past Fullerton, 2-1.
Fullerton goalkeeper Asger Hemmer recorded four saves in the first half and six in the match, keeping the Titans in it while Santa Barbara outshot Fullerton 16-2 in the first half, according to the Fullerton recap. Both of Fullerton's first half shots came from Jose de la Torre from outside the 18-yard box, the recap said.
Fullerton pressed after halftime and got on the board in the 67th minute, when Hughie Eaton scored after a back-heel pass from Fernando Valenzuela, with Julian Borja also assisting on the goal, Fullerton reported. The Titans took 12 shots in the second half but were still outshot 25-14 in the match, and they kept pressing without finding an equalizer. With the loss, Fullerton drops to 4-8-3 overall and 0-4 in Big West play.
The result continues Santa Barbara's Big West unbeaten streak, now at 13 games, just one shy of matching the program record, KEYT reported. KEYT also reported that the Gauchos could clinch a spot in the Big West Championship field in their next conference match, with a win at UC Irvine next Saturday enough to cement their place as a semifinal host.
Fullerton is on the road Wednesday night for a nonconference matchup against Gonzaga before returning home Saturday for senior night against CSU Bakersfield, according to Fullerton Athletics.
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