Late Goal Lifts Oklahoma Over CSUN

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Women's Soccer dropped a non-conference contest to Oklahoma, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at Matador Soccer Field. Cynthia Sanchez led CSUN with two shot attempts while Camille Watson, Kourtney Kutscher and Amber Edemann also took shots on the day. Goalkeeper Jovani McCaskill made five saves in net but a late Sooner goal in the 89th minute proved to be the difference in the match.

"I thought we played a lot better in the second half," said head coach Keith West. "I have to give Oklahoma a lot of credit. We didn't play on Friday but they did and traveled. They found a way to get it done today. I thought our team played okay. You have to find a way to pull those out. We are getting to playoff time here and now we have to focus back in conference and try to get these three points on Friday."

In a defensive battle, the two teams went back-and-forth in the match with neither side willing to give up an inch for nearly the full 90 minutes. The teams combined to just total 14 shots while CSUN earned three of the four corner kicks in the match.

Oklahoma put pressure on the Matadors in the first half, producing seven shots to CSUN's none. Tori Bowman took the first shot of the day in the seventh minute but her shot from near the right sideline just went left of the far post. McCaskill made four saves in the opening period including a diving save on a low shot from Liz Keester in the 18th minute.

Held without a strike in the first half, CSUN would flip the script after intermission as the Matadors outshot the Sooners, 5-2, in the final period.

In the 64th minute, Sanchez put the Matadors' first shot on target after she attacked the Sooner defense and delivered a roller from the right side that goalkeeper Kassidie Stade stopped.

As the final minutes trickled down in regulation, the Matadors continued to press the Sooners looking for the go-ahead goal. Shortly after Sanchez deposited a shot wide left, CSUN earned its best look at the net on a drive up the field at the 88:02 mark.

Receiving a long pass from Kutscher, Watson sprinted up the field and took the ball into the Sooners' box. Watson looked for the right near post but Stade made a diving save. However, Stade was unable to hold on to the ball momentarily leaving the Matadors an opportunity to recover with a second shot. At the last second, before a streaking Sanchez could strike, Stade regained possession of the ball.

Just 34 seconds later, the Sooners turned the tables with a drive of their own. On a through ball up the middle of the field, Kyle Esobedo corralled a pass from Keester and faced McCaskill in a one-on-one close to the top of the box. Taking advantage of McCaskill moving up from her line, Esobedo delivered a low shot at the left corner that struck the netting.

CSUN frantically looked for another shot at the net in the waning seconds, but the Sooners would not allow any more attempts as Oklahoma held on for the victory.

The goal in the 89th minute was just the second goal allowed by the Matadors this season at home, ending a string of shutout soccer that reached over 809 minutes.

The Matadors now focus on their final two regular season matches of the season as they try to clinch a spot in the Big West Conference Tournament. CSUN will host Cal State Fullerton on Friday at 7 p.m. and will take on visiting Hawai'i on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Late Goal Lifts Oklahoma Over CSUN

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Team Stats

Cynthia Sanchez

Camille Watson

Kourtney Kutscher

Amber Edemann

Players Mentioned

Amber Edemann

Kourtney Kutscher

Jovani McCaskill

Cynthia Sanchez

Camille Watson