Titans' Run Comes to an End With 3-1 Loss to UCLA at NCAA Tournament :: Christina Murillo Spoils the Shutout With Late Goal for Fullerton

Nov. 16, 2007

WESTWOOD, CA - UCLA's Christina DiMartino had a hand in all three of UCLA's goals on the night as the host and top-ranked Bruins handed Cal State Fullerton a 3-1 defeat on Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament at Drake Stadium in Westwood, Calif.

It was the second straight year that UCLA has ended Fullerton's season in the NCAA Tournament as the Bruins also handed the Titans a 3-1 loss in the second round in 2006.

Fullerton ended its campaign with a 12-8-2 overall record, duplicating the record from a season ago, to go along with regular season and Big West Conference Tournament titles. The Bruins, who improved to 17-1-2 overall and remained unbeaten in their last 19 straight, will meet either San Diego or Oklahoma State in Sunday's second round.

UCLA got on the board early, tallying the first goal in just the fifth minute of the match. Lauren Wilmoth crossed a ball into the box that was flicked on by DiMartino across the top of the box.

It was run on to by Kristina Larson, who placed the ball into the lower left corner for the 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later, McCall Zerboni made it 2-0 off a cross from DiMartino on the right side, heading it home into the upper left corner.

DiMartino was then able to get on the board herself in the 39th minute as Fullerton's Jenae Gibbens was called for a foul in the box after taking down Alma Playle, awarding the Bruins a penalty kick.

DiMartino converted on the opportunity for her sixth goal of the year and a 3-0 lead for UCLA.

The Titans got a goal back late in the match as freshman Christina Murillo netted her fifth goal of the year, catching Bruins' goalkeeper Val Henderson coming off the line to challenge a ball in the box.

However, senior Stacey Thompson got there first and lofted a pass to Murillo on the left post, who punched it in to a wide open net in the 84th minute to make it 3-1.

For Murillo, it was her fifth goal of the season, which ranks tied for second on the team. Thompson logged her team-best sixth assist of the year.

UCLA held a 17-8 advantage in shots in an aggressive match that saw 28 fouls whistled on the night.

Larsen led all players with four shots while Murillo and Brianna Buffington had two each to lead the Titans. Junior goalkeeper Shayla Sabin made five saves in net for the Titans.