California State University Fullerton - 2014 Division II Champions!

By Kyle Jones

 

The perfect season.  In the wide world of sports a perfect season only comes around once in a blue moon.  But that is precisely what California State University Fullerton was able to pull off.  In just their second year in Division II, the Titans won their first National Championship. 

They entered the 2014 National Collegiate Roller Hockey Championships in the top pool after boasting a very impressive regular season in the WCRHL, finishing 20-0.  They swiftly moved through pool play and won every game by no less than four goals.  They entered the elimination bracket as heavy favorites with a target on their back each every game.  Despite every team stepping up their game to take out the Titans, their firepower proved to be too much.  Captain Jeff Brown and goaltender Nevin Iwatsuru led the charge as they beat the Cortland Dragons in the Sweet 16.  Missouri State played CSUF tough but at the end, the Titans were able to grind out a 4-2 victory in the Elite 8.  Fullerton got up early against a tough Rutgers squad and never looked back as they downed the Scarlet Knights by a score of 6-1 in the Final Four. 

In the National Championship Game, Cal State Fullerton faced off against the upset-minded Virginia Tech Hookies.  Virginia Tech had already beaten one DII team who was previously undefeated (UNC Charlotte) and looked to do the same in the National Championship Game.  Virginia Tech had opportunities in the 1st but were never able to capitalize.  On the other hand, the Titans did capitalize and jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the 1st.  Virginia Tech made a late run and got within 3 goals in the 3rd period, but CSUF proved to be too much.  Jeff Brown scored two in the game but Matthew Han’s goal with 2:44 remaining in the 1st proved to be the game winner.  At approximately 1:00 pm Eastern Time on April 13th 2014, the game clock struck zero and Cal State Fullerton completed their perfect season with a 6-2 win over Virginia Tech.

The 2014 season for the Titans was all about finishing what they were unable to do a year ago in Fort Myers, as they were eliminated early against the eventual National Champs, Colorado-Colorado Springs.  They started the 2014 season even stronger and more determined and finished as National Champions.  Congratulations to the California State University Fullerton Titians for their very first NCRHA National Championship.