FULLERTON, Calif. — Saint Mary's dropped a 5-1 decision Sunday evening on the road against a tough Fullerton squad to round out their season opener weekend. Titans' senior Nano Oronoz scored a hat trick on five total shots to help sink the Gaels.

Saint Mary's moved to 0-2 with the loss while Fullerton improved to 1-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Fullerton jumped to an early lead in the seventh minute as Oronoz notched her first goal of the game on a through ball from teammate Atlanta Primus. Oronoz and Primus hooked up for another goal 10 minutes later and the Titans added their third score in the 43rd minute off the foot of Kristen Swales.

The Gaels would respond strongly after the halftime break as Jaylen Crim cut into the Titans' lead just four minutes into the second period. Senior Anyssa Dominguez fed a through ball past the Fullerton defense and Crim snuck her shot past the Titan keeper to score the Gaels' first goal of the season. Crim led all Saint Mary's players with four shots in the match.

Oronoz completed her hat trick in the 73rd minute off a corner kick and Fullerton scored their final goal in the 83rd minute as Swales cashed in for her second tally of the game.

Saint Mary's finished the match with seven shots while Fullerton rattled off 21. Maleah Milner played all 90 minutes in net for the Gaels and made five saves.

THOUGHTS FROM TRAVIS CLARKE

• "We played a good Fullerton team today and the early goal really hurt us in regard to getting into the game at all.  All the goals we gave up today were the type of goals we don't normally give up. We need to be better at having more mental toughness to stay in the game longer and not chase the game from the start. Overall, Fullerton deserved to win today and we will learn from it and prepare for next weekend in Vermont."
• "It was good to get the goal today.  It was a good play between Anyssa Dominguez and Jaylen Crim. We were able to get the game to 1-3 with enough time to play and even had a few chances to get it to 2-3."

QUICK FACTS

• Milner recorded four of her fives saves in the second half.
• Saint Mary's did not allow a corner kick in the first half.
• SMC forced Fullerton offsides three times in the match.
• Sophie Santos led all Gaels with 42 minutes off the bench.

UP NEXT: TD BANK CLASSIC

• The Gaels return to action on Friday as they head to Vermont for the TD Bank Classic. Saint Mary's will play the host school, Vermont, on Friday and Maine on Sunday. More information for the contests can be found on the Gaels' schedule page.