Matadors Down Cal Poly, 2-1

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Women's Soccer (9-5-1, 2-0-1 Big West) scored twice in the first 15 minutes and held on for a 2-1 victory over Cal Poly (5-5-5, 1-3 Big West) in its Big West Conference match on Sunday afternoon at Matador Soccer Field. Kourtney Kutscher and Cynthia Sanchez each struck the back of the net and both recorded assists on each other's scores. Lyndsey Preston also tallied an assist on Kutscher's goal.

"This team is pretty special," said head coach Keith West. "We have been missing players all year and several of them have been in and out of the lineup. But what I tell the team is 'next up.' When you're up make a play and they're making plays. Overall, today was an unbelievable team effort."

After scoring twice in the second half to hand UC Irvine a 2-0 defeat on Thursday, the Matadors used two early scores in the opening half to build an early lead on Cal Poly.

In the 14^th minute, CSUN forced the ball inside Cal Poly territory, creating an opportunity at the net. Mustang goalkeeper Alyssa Giannetti played the ball outside of the goal and the Matadors took advantage of a free net to strike. Utilizing a pass from Sanchez, Preston delivered a cross to Kutscher, who scored from inside the box.

Not content with the one-goal advantage, the Matadors struck again just 67 seconds later as Sanchez scored for the 11^th time this season. Now acting as facilitator, Kutscher fired a long pass to a streaking Sanchez down the field. The forward beat Giannetti to the loose ball and found the net to push CSUN ahead 2-0.

The Mustangs answered back in the 31^st minute to trim the Matador advantage. A header from Allie Begin off a corner kick cut the lead to 2-1 but Cal Poly would not get any closer on the hot afternoon.

The Matadors appeared to have their third goal in their sights in the 43^rd minute as Krystal Kutscher had a clear look at the net from straight away near the top of the box but her shot banged off the cross bar, keeping the score at 2-1.

CSUN outshot Cal Poly 10-7 in the first half and continued to lead in shot attempts in the second half. The Mustangs were held to four shots in the final 45 minutes while the Matadors recorded seven attempts in the final period.

Goalkeeper Cynthia Tafoya recorded two of her three saves on the day in the second half including stopping the Mustangs' final shot of the contest in the 75^th minute. Tafoya has allowed only one goal in 290 minutes of Big West play this season.

With her 11^th goal of 2015, Sanchez added to her all-time CSUN record for goals in a season. After recording a goal and assist on Sunday, Sanchez tied Brianna Monka (2005) for the most points in a season in school history. In the CSUN record books, Sanchez also sits in eighth place all-time with 31 career points.

CSUN will be back in action next Sunday for a road test at Hawai'i. Start time is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. PT.

Matadors Down Cal Poly, 2-1

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Team Stats

Cynthia Sanchez

Kourtney Kutscher

Lyndsey Preston

Kiley Norkus

Players Mentioned

Kourtney Kutscher

Krystal Kutscher

Lyndsey Preston

Cynthia Sanchez

Cynthia Tafoya