Matadors Post 3-0 Victory Over Portland State

Sunday, August 23

Northridge, Calif.

1:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

1-1-0

Portland State

0-2-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Portland State	0	0	0
CSUN	1	2	3

Matadors Post 3-0 Victory Over Portland State

8/23/2015 4:59:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

En Español

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Women's Soccer (1-1) earned a 3-0 victory over the Portland State Vikings (0-2) in its home opener on Sunday afternoon at Matador Soccer Field. Destinney Duron headed in her first career goal in the 38^th minute and connected with Cynthia Sanchez on a goal in the second half. Kourtney Kutscher also registered her first goal of her Matador career in the 47^th minute.

"I was very proud of our team's performance today," said head coach Keith West. "We had a tough loss at Pepperdine in overtime on Friday and to bounce back today against a very good team says a lot about the character of this group."

The Matadors showed aggression offensively throughout the afternoon, pouring in 18 shots with nine shots on goal. After falling 1-0 in overtime on Friday against the Waves, CSUN posted eight shot attempts in the first 30 minutes of play. Two of the eight shots came off the foots of Camille Watson and Tabatha Dickson, who both hit shots off the cross bar.

CSUN finally reached the back of the net on a corner kick opportunity. Off a well-executed kick from Sylvia Trinh to the front of the net, Duron leaped above a crowd to head in a goal to give the Matadors the lead.

"Hopefully it's the start of many goals," said Duron about knocking in her first career score. "Last year I didn't score any goals, but now coming into this year, I know I had to pick it up on offense for the team."

Leading 1-0 at halftime, the Matadors continued to supply the pressure on offense in the second half. Just two minutes after the intermission, Kutscher launched a bomb from 30 yards out on a free kick to double the advantage to 2-0.

After reaching the back of the net earlier, Duron played the role of playmaker and facilitator in the second half to lead to another CSUN goal. With the ball near midfield, Duron delivered a long kick to a speeding Sanchez. The sophomore then quickly made her way past the defense and delivered a shot out of the reach of goalkeeper Angela Haluska to move the Matadors ahead 3-0.

The three goals were more than enough for Matador goalkeeper Jovani McCaskill. The 2014 Big West Conference Honorable Mention posted five shutouts last season and in her first start of the season on Sunday, she saved four en route to registering her first shutout of 2015.

The Matadors' victory was a game of firsts in many facets. Duron's goal and assist are the first of her career and Trinh's assist to Duron is her first as a Matador. Kutscher also notched her first career goal off the free kick in the contest. Off the bench, Kyla Diekmann, Katelyn Von Meter, Victoria Womble and Justine Silvers each received their first minutes on the field in their respective CSUN careers.

CSUN continues a three-game homestand when it hosts Southern Utah on Friday at Matador Soccer Field. Kickoff is slated for a 7 p.m. start time.