CAL STATE FULLERTON NOTEBOOK : Soccer Team’s Solid Footing in Big West May Be Shaky This Year

The Titan Sports Complex, which school officials expect to be a boon to the Cal State Fullerton athletic program, might actually hinder the soccer team’s chances for a Big West Conference title this season.

Because construction of the facility is expected to begin in September, Fullerton Coach Al Mistri has been forced to schedule the majority of this season’s games--13 of 19--on the road.

“That’s not good,” said Mistri, whose Titans open at Western Kentucky’s kickoff tournament Saturday night. “We have a cozy stadium here and other teams don’t like playing here. We’ll miss that advantage.”

More specifically, Fullerton will miss the Rag Patrol, a group of about 50 fans who assemble in a corner of Titan Field for soccer games. The Rag Patrol’s primary purpose is to harass opposing teams from kickoff to the final horn.

Mistri believes the group, which is made up mostly of students and former players, is partly responsible for the Titans’ 24-6-3 home record the past five seasons.

“They’re pretty much on the opponent’s case throughout the game--that rattles them and fortifies us,” Mistri said. “They seem to have brought ridicule to an all-time high, perfected it to a science. We have evidence of opposing players being extremely rattled. They’ve caused other teams to lose their cool.”

Mistri hopes the Rag Patrol will follow the team to Fullerton’s Amerige Park, where the Titans will play home games after ground is broken on the sports complex. As for the away games, Mistri plans to consult football Coach Gene Murphy, the Charles Kuralt of Titan coaches, for some tips.

Murphy’s teams have averaged four home games and eight road games per season the past 10 years.

“He’s the authority on campus about playing on the road,” Mistri said. “The first question I’ll ask is where are all the good places to eat? Then I’ll ask about the night life. Where do we go? I’m sure he can give me some insight.”

But seriously folks: Mistri expects to have another strong team that should challenge Fresno State for the conference title. The Titans return five starters, including all-conference forward Steve George, from a team that went 12-7 overall and 6-3-1 in conference, good for second place behind the Bulldogs in 1989.

Also returning are senior goalkeeper Jay Nettekoven, who allowed an average of 1.3 goals per game last season, and seniors Lance Kremer and Thomas Valentine, Noah Kooiman and Paul Rottenberg.

But the player who has Mistri most excited is junior forward Raul Haro, a transfer from El Camino College who was the California Community College player of the year last season. Haro, 5-feet-6, 140 pounds, also was recruited by UCLA and scored 30 goals in 1989.

And the winner is: Senior Paul Schulte has edged redshirt freshman Terry Payne at quarterback and will be Fullerton’s starter in the season opener Saturday against Sonoma State.

It will be the first Division I start for Schulte, who redshirted in 1987 and spent the 1988 and ’89 seasons as a backup to record-setting quarterback Dan Speltz. Although Schulte has thrown only three passes for the Titans, it was his experience that gave him the edge over Payne.

“I think Paul had more of an understanding of what we’re doing and what the opponents are doing,” Titan offensive coordinator Bill Wentworth said. “He understands blitz checks, defensive fronts and coverages as well as anyone I’ve been around.”

Late-comer: Junior flanker Greg West has only practiced for a week, but Wentworth says the transfer from El Camino College already is in contention for a starting job. West, a 6-2, 200-pounder, recently completed his Associate of Arts degree requirements.

“I don’t think he’ll start the first game, but he’ll probably split time with Rick Brown,” Wentworth said. “He has really looked good the last few days. He’s just a little behind in learning the offense.”

Titan Notes

The Fullerton women’s volleyball team opens the season Friday night at the University of San Diego and will play Saturday night at United States International University. The Titans return next week to play host to the J.M.N. Premier Tournament Sept. 6-8. Defending national champion Cal State Long Beach and nationally ranked Oregon are among the 16-team field. Second-year Fullerton Coach Jim Huffman, whose Titans were picked to finish sixth in the conference by coaches, has three returning starters--senior outside hitter Val Thurman, junior setter Stephanie Shrieve and junior middle blocker Stephanie Scofield. Two freshmen, 6-4 outside hitter Becky Howlett of Aurora, Colo., and 6-1 middle blocker Michele Paul of Simi Valley also will start. . . . Dave Collins, who was listed as Fullerton’s starting offensive guard after spring practice in May, has quit the football team. A redshirt junior from Santa Monica College, Collins lost his starting job to junior Tim Drevno in preseason practice.