California State University at Northridge
#5 Arizona State
No. 11 CSUN Edged by No. 5 ASU, No. 7 SJSU at UCSB Winter Invite
1/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -
The 11th-ranked CSUN Matadors (0-1) nearly rallied to defeat the fifth-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0), but fell 9-6 on the first day at the 2015 UCSB Winter Invite Friday afternoon. Freshman attacker Madeline Sanchez led the Matadors with three goals on four attempts and also had a pair of steals in the match.
Sanchez and the Matadors played a staunch defense in the first half and limited ASU to just two goals, keeping the match close at 2-1 at halftime. A high-scoring third quarter saw a total of nine goals but CSUN kept within striking distance at 7-5 heading into the fourth.
The Sun Devils tacked on two goals in the final quarter to escape the season opener with the victory.
In addition to Sanchez, CSUN received goals from Kelcie Ferreira, Marisa Young and Shannon Hovanesian. Goalkeeper Kiernan Davis recorded seven saves as well.
Box Score:
CSUN (0-1) 0-1-4-1 = 6
ASU (1-0) 1-1-5-2 = 9
CSUN Goal Scorers: Sanchez (3), Ferreira (1), Young (1), Hovanesian (1)
ASU Goal Scorers: Benekou (3), Carter (1), Chiappini (2), Sverchek (1), Casas (1), Pardi (1)
CSUN GK Saves: Davis (7)
ASU GK Saves: Unavailable
Following the match against Arizona State, the Matadors faced another test in No. 7 San Jose State. Five different CSUN players scored a goal but the Matadors (0-2) were defeated by the Spartans (2-0) 8-6.
The Spartans kept the Matadors off the scoreboard in the first quarter and held a 4-2 lead at the half. CSUN responded with a pair of goals in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 5-4, but three goals for SJSU in the final quarter quelled the Matadors' upset bid.
Ferreira led the attack with two goals and an assist in four attempts while Young added two assists and one goal. Davis recorded six saves in goal and also came away with two steals agains the Spartans.
The Matadors will resume play at the 2015 UCSB Winter Invite on Saturday, Jan. 24 with matches against Bakersfield and No. 16 Loyola Marymount. CSUN will first face the Roadrunners at 11:10 a.m. before battling the Lions at 3:20 p.m.
Box Score:
CSUN (0-2) 0-2-2-2 = 6
SJSU (2-0) 2-2-1-3 = 8
CSUN Goal Scorers: Ferreira (2), Young (1), Fowler (1), Herrington (1), Sanchez (1)
SJSU Goal Scorers: Seyfert (2), Espar Llaquet (1), Smith (2), Molnar (3)
CSUN GK Saves: Davis (6)
SJSU GK Saves: Unavailable
