Titans Win and UCI Loses Big : Soccer: Fullerton’s 2-1 victory probably means an end to Irvine’s hopes for postseason play.

The victory went to Cal State Fullerton in its women’s soccer game with UC Irvine Friday night, but there may not have been a winner in terms of an at-large NCAA postseason playoff bid.

The Titans (14-4) dealt another blow to Irvine’s once-bright playoff hopes with a 2-1 victory, but Fullerton Coach Al Mistri said he doesn’t think his team has “a snowball’s chance” of being selected at this point.

“If we had won against Pepperdine Tuesday night, then won this game, we might have had a very slim chance,” Mistri said. “But not now.”

It was Irvine’s fourth consecutive game without a victory. The Anteaters, unbeaten and ranked 14th in the nation two weeks ago, are now 12-3-3 and Mistri thinks Irvine will be left at home when the 24-team NCAA field is announced on Monday.

“It’s bull that they’re not going to go, but that’s what I expect to happen,” Mistri said.

Irvine Coach Marine Cano is hoping Mistri is wrong. His team has one more chance to redeem itself tonight when the regular season ends at home against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

“If we go 13-3-3, they have to at least take a look at us,” he said.

Irvine had 15 shots on goal compared to nine by Fullerton, but the Titans won it on a left-footed goal from 20 yards out by freshman Shawna Panter in the game’s 67th minute. Erin Rico dribbled the ball into position and shared an assist with Jennifer Patterson.

The Titans took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by freshman Dolores Browning in the 34th minute, but Irvine came back to tie the score in the 54th minute on Kim Cowan’s header goal off Simone Ferrara’s direct kick.

Irvine dominated the second half and had nine shots on goal, but converted only the one.

“We had our chances to win, but we were playing catch-up most of the time,” Cano said. “It’s not like they outplayed us, but they outscored us.”

Mistri said Irvine was impressive physically. “We had to do the best we could just to stay with them,” he said.