RIVERSIDE, Calif.— History was made Saturday night as the UC Riverside Men's Soccer Team punched its ticket to the Big West Conference Tournament Championship for the very first time knocking off the defending champ, Cal State Fullerton, in overtime. Despite playing 110 minutes of scoreless soccer just a week ago with these same Titans, the Highlanders capitalized in the Semi-Final round of this postseason tournament defeating CSUF 3-2 with a golden goal in the 99th minute.

"We just had to stay true to ourselves," Head Coach Tim Cupello said. "We've been working hard all season, we've been challenged all season and this game is no different, because Fullerton is a tough team. I told our guys that if we continue to believe and apply the things we have been working on, and improve as we have all year, then the results will take care of itself."

There was never dull moment for the Highlander offense that doubled the Titan shot count 20-10, but both teams would remain scoreless for the first 44 minutes.

With just 13 seconds to go in the half, sophomore Daniel Aguirre and senior Antonio Lokossou put tremendous pressure on Fullerton's net rushing the left side and setting up the perfect delivery to break the tie. Aguirre would drop in a pass to Lokossou, who held off a Titan defender and delivered the ball right back allowing Aguirre to fire in a shot for his 6th goal of the season.

With this score in the 45th minute, the Highlanders would head to the break up 1-0. 

The Titans would return to the pitch poised to reach their 3rd consecutive Big West Championship, as Fullerton quickly tied the match scoring off a corner kick in the 47th. The team would then grab its first and only lead of the match capitalizing on an own-goal by UCR in the 67th.

Down 2-1, the Highlanders stayed aggressive, and earned a late opportunity as CSUF's goalkeeper, Paul-Andre Guerin, leaped over the back of a Highlander forward taking him down in the box and granting UCR a penalty kick.

UC Riverside would call upon its go-to PK artist in Dusan Keca and the senior defender did not disappoint icing the match with his 4th goal of the season. The two teams would head to overtime tied at 2-2.

In the 99th minute, the Highlanders etched their name into the record books as Lokossou would find his 2nd assist of the night setting up freshman Daniel Castaneda for a golden goal in a crowded box.

After an incredibly tough non-conference season where the Highlanders found themselves with an 0-7-1 record, the script has been flipped as they have now won seven of their last 10 matches and will get the opportunity to host the conference title match.

"We challenged ourselves going on the road a lot early in the season, and the results were difficult to deal with, but that builds mental strength and these guys never gave up," Cupello said. I am just so proud of them the way they have overcome challenge after challenge this season and now we give ourselves an opportunity to compete for the Championship."

This incredible run is far from over as UC Riverside will host UC Davis next Saturday at 7:00 PM and look to raise the cup.