Penalty Kick Keys Titans’ Victory

Charlie Lynch scored on a penalty kick with about 11 minutes left to lift Cal State Fullerton to a 4-3 victory over UC Irvine in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s soccer game Sunday at Titan Stadium.

Lynch was awarded the penalty kick after being taken down from behind while advancing on goalkeeper Aaron Linder. Lynch’s winning goal was low and near the left post.

Fullerton got goals from Art Ramirez and Shelton Thomas to take a 2-0 lead, but UCI rallied to tie on goals from Shaun Callahan and Oliver Zlomislic. Thomas got his second goal of the first half to give the Titans a 3-2 lead in the 39th minute.

UCI (2-4-3, 0-1) tied it, 3-3, about three minutes into the second half when Michael Mucino drove one in from about 20 yards.

Fullerton (6-5, 1-0) has won six consecutive games against UCI and leads the all-time series, 14-4-2.

In a nonconference water polo game:

California 9, UC Irvine 4--Visiting UCI (3-5) opened a 2-0 lead early, but No. 2 Cal (8-1) scored the next five goals. Greg Finley scored for No. 4 UCI about midway in the third quarter to cut the lead to 5-3, but Cal went on to score four consecutive goals.