Titans’ Strazzulla Takes One For the Team When Called

The Cal State Fullerton men’s soccer team was without a regular goalkeeper for one of its spring training games Sunday, what with Mike Forensich away at training camp with the national under-20 team, and Justin Johnston out with knee surgery. Another goalkeeper, Prawit Namutawong , has left the team to play professionally in Thailand.

With an obvious need for a replacement, Coach Al Mistri and assistant Rick Garcia decided to give junior Suzy Strazzulla, the goalkeeper on the women’s team, the opportunity to play against Chapman.

“She trains with the men’s team a lot anyway, so we thought it would be a great experience for her,” said Garcia, who coaches the women. “The men’s game is faster, and we thought it would help her. She’s the finest female goalkeeper I’ve ever seen. She does things better technically than a lot of the guys I’ve seen.”

But only five minutes into the game Sunday, Strazzulla was injured. “It was a crossing play, and she came out and made a great save, but the player who was going for the ball kicked her face,” Garcia said. Strazzulla was released from the hospital about three hours later Sunday, but she said she learned Tuesday that she will need facial surgery, probably next week. “My cheekbone was depressed into the soft tissue,” she said. Despite the injury, Strazzulla said she has no regrets about playing in the game against men. She was still a little miffed Tuesday about being kicked, but said she had no reason to think it was intentional.

She said she would compete against a male team again, if the opportunity presented itself.

“Absolutely,” Strazzulla said. “I think I would have done as well as the coaches hoped I would if I hadn’t been hurt . . . And my soccer career isn’t over.” Male field players took over in goal for the rest of the game. The Titans won, 3-0.