SAN FRANCISCO – It ended up a game of would-haves, could-haves and should-haves in USF's 1-0 loss to Cal State Fullerton on Friday evening at Negoesco Stadium. USF (2-4-0) had numerous chances barely knocked away or just miss their target against the Titans. Despite outshooting Fullerton 11-7, the Dons came away empty handed on the night.
Midway through the first half,
David Garrett had a chance poked away down on the left wing near the net. Shortly after, in the 46th minute,
Sebastian Stacey chipped a nice pass over the defense to
Kevin De La Torre with some space in front of the net, but De La Torre's attempt was met by a full extension diving stop from Fullerton keeper Paul Andre Guerin for one of his two saves on the night.
In the 49th minute,
Leon Schwarzer and
Manny Padilla teamed for a slick give-and-go on the right wing, but Padilla's shot from near the endline was just barely tipped away by Guerin, rolling inches wide of the net.
Fullerton (4-3-0) was able to take advantage of a one-on-one in the 58th minute to net the only goal of the match. The Titans' Ross McPhie took a long pass from Sam Molz down the right wing and found himself face-to-face with USF keeper
Andre Glasnovic. McPhie chipped his shot over Glasnovic into the empty net from about 15 yards out.
The Dons turned it on in the second half, outshooting Fullerton 9-4 in the frame.
Jordan Hughes nearly scored the equalizer in the 78th minute when he ripped a bullet from 25 yards out that deflected off the crossbar.
USF tried for one last gasp with a flurry of activity over the final minute, including a corner kick as time expired that sailed high.
The Dons held an 8-6 advantage in corner kicks on the night.
Glasnovic picked up three saves in goal for the Dons.
UP NEXT: The Dons continue their home weekend with a 1 p.m. matinee against Air Force on Sunday. That game will be streamed live on TheW.tv with USF's broadcasting team of Charles Wollin (play-by-play) and Joe Dugan (analyst) on the call.