University of San Francisco Athletics

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FULLERTON, Calif.—San Francisco head coach and former Cal State Fullerton standout Eddie Soto was honored before the match on Friday night and then it was all business for the Dons. After falling behind early in the first half, San Francisco rallied back to get two goals from Miguel Aguilar to beat Cal State Fullerton 2-1 in nonleague action.
 
"It was great to see that the team came together when they needed the effort," Soto said. "They found a way to get a result on the road in a hostile environment."
 
The Dons (2-1-0) went into the second half with the match tied 1-1 and it was one of the seniors who stepped up when Aguilar took a penalty kick in the 72nd minute and blew it past Salt for the Dons' second goal of the match.
 
"Miguel is a very good player and tonight he showed it," Soto said. "He's one of those leaders that does it by example. He played injured and played through it. That mental toughness is inspiring for the younger guys."
 
It was Aguilar's first multi-goal game.
 
Fullerton made one final charge in the final minute and on a corner kick, Julian Okai's shot went high to seal the win for the Dons.
 
The Dons improve their overall record against Cal State Fullerton to 12-3-2 and it is the team's first win against the Titans since 1996.
 
Fullerton got the action started in the 18th minute when Juilan Okai took a free kick from about 25 yards out and placed it in the top right corner of the net to give the Titans the early 1-0 lead. The Dons responded quickly.
 
In the 21st minute, Davi Ramos took a free kick and delivered it to David Romney, who headed it to Aguilar for the tap in near the far post to tie it up. The Dons then had a great chance to take the lead when in the 24th minute, Ramos took a penalty kick and served it left only to have it saved by Fullerton goalie Jeff Salt. The rebound was headed by Bryce Kaminski but it went high, leaving the match tied going into the break.
 
What was impressive to Soto was how the team responded to not having senior captain Danny Kirkland, who was unable to compete this week.
 
"When you lose your captain, it's tough," he said. "They got settled really quickly. I'm proud of them."
 
The match also marked the return of Soto to Fullerton, where he played four seasons and was named a two-time All-American as well as being in the top five in numerous offensive categories.
 
"It feels nice to come home but it's about our team and what we were doing," Soto said. "I am happy to be a Don. Our athletic department believes in me to lead this team."
 
San Francisco will return to the pitch next Friday when it plays its home opener against Florida Gulf Coast.