California State University at Northridge
Oklahoma
CSUN Takes on Visiting Oklahoma in Non-Conference Match
10/20/2016 12:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer
NORTHRIDGE, CA---
CSUN Women's Soccer (9-3-5, 4-1-1 BWC) takes a break from Big West Conference play to host Oklahoma on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Matador Soccer Field in a late season non-conference matchup. Live stats will be available for the contest.Â
The Matadors head into this weekend with a four-match winning streak and in first place in the Big West Conference standings after 1-0 wins over UC Riverside and UC Irvine. The team has now set a new program record with four-straight shutouts against conference opponents.Â
Last Thursday, CSUN edged the Highlanders with a second half goal from defender Nicole Thompson. The senior headed in her first career goal off passes from Sylvia Trinh and Ariana Tran. CSUN limited the Highlanders to nine shots and only one shot on goal after halftime. Goalkeeper Jovani McCaskill stopped all four shots in net and the Matadors set a new program single season shutout record with the victory.Â
The Matadors continued their sold defensive play on the road at UC Irvine last Sunday. Camille Watson assisted Cynthia Sanchez on a goal less than five minutes into the match to put CSUN ahead and the team would hold the Anteaters scoreless the rest of the way. McCaskill earned her 12th shutout of the season in the match, setting a new CSUN single season record.Â
CSUN extended its new shutout season record to 13 with the win on Sunday. The team has allowed scoring in only four matches this season and seven goals overall. Nationally, the Matadors are first in shutout percentage (.765), third in goals-against-average (.383) and fourth in save percentage (.904). Through eight home matches, the team has surrendered one goal at Matador Soccer Field this season. Also, the team has allowed goals in the first half of matches once.Â
A defensive pillar on the pitch, Thompson earned Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors on October 17. Scoring her first career goal on Thursday against UCR, Thompson continued her tremendous defensive play to help CSUN record a new season shutout record. On the season, Thompson has a goal, an assist and she has played in all but 14 minutes on the field.Â
Collecting her 12th individual shutout, McCaskill remains tops in the nation in clean sheets. She is also fourth in goalie minutes played (1641:20), fifth in GAA (.384) and sixth in save percentage (.901). Her 12 shutouts are also tied for the most in a single season in the Big West Conference.Â
Offensively, the trio of Lindsay Kutscher, Sanchez and Watson all have a team-leading three goals this season. Tops on the team in points, Watson is also tied with Trinh with a team-best four assists. In the shots department, forwards Watson and Sanchez have a combined 85 shots. The Matadors are first in the conference in shots per game (15.2) and shots on goal (107).Â
In the Big West Conference standings, the Matadors are first with 13 points while Cal State Fullerton is in second place with nine and Long Beach State occupies third with eight points. In fourth place, four teams including UC Santa Barbara, Hawai'i, UC Irvine and UC Davis all sit with seven points apiece. Currently, the Matadors would clinch the regular season crown should they win their final two home matches next week. CSUN will host Cal State Fullerton on Friday, Oct. 28 and the team will conclude the 2016 regular season on Oct. 30 against Hawai'i.Â
The matchup on Sunday will be the first meeting between CSUN and Oklahoma. The Matadors have already played five teams for the first time in program history this season, which have included North Dakota State, South Dakota, Ball State, Marquette and Omaha. Against Big 12 foes, the Matadors are 2-6 all-time and have played a team from the conference every season since 2010.Â
A Closer Look at Oklahoma
The Sooners are 11-4-1 overall and 6-2-0 in road matches this season. Oklahoma's RPI ranking is ninth in the nation and the team has received votes in the latest NSCAA coaches and TopDrawerSoccer polls. In their only match last week, the Sooners defeated Oklahoma State, 2-0, to improve their conference record to 4-2-0. Before facing the Matadors, Oklahoma will host Kansas on Friday in its last home match of the season.Â
Senior forward Liz Keester is second in the Big 12 in points with 18 and she is tied for second in goals with seven. Keester also has four assists and has posted a team-leading 42 shots. Senior midfielder and forward Madison Saliba earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors on Oct. 18. Saliba has registered three goals and two assists for Oklahoma. As a team, the Soooners have scored 29 goals as 11 different players have hit the net. In goal, senior Kassidie Stade has played every minute at the goalkeeping position and she has compiled six shutouts, a 0.92 GAA and 51 saves.Â
