CSUN Wins Big West Regular Season Crown, Kutscher's Golden Goal Gives CSUN 1-0 Win

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NORTHRIDGE, CA---

On an emotional final day of the regular season, CSUN Women's Soccer (11-3-5, 6-1-1 BWC) defeated Hawai'i (9-6-2, 2-5-1 BWC), 1-0, in double overtime and won its first Big West Conference regular season championship in team history. Senior midfielder Kourtney Kutscher recorded the golden goal seconds into the second extra period to lift her team to victory. The Matadors have secured the No. 1 seed in the Big West Tournament, which starts Thursday. CSUN will face No. 4 seed and host Long Beach State in the semifinals of the tournament at 5 p.m.

One of nine seniors honored prior to kickoff, Kutscher gave the senior class a memorable home sendoff just 34 seconds into the second overtime. Off a free kick from near the left sideline, Nicole Thompson delivered a pass towards the center box. Camille Watson flicked a header back to Kutscher who fired a high shot into the goal.

The game-winning goal was the second game winner in as many seasons on Senior Day. Last season, Kutscher hit a penalty kick to give CSUN a 4-3 victory over UC Santa Barbara in overtime last season in the regular season finale.

Picking up the team's sixth-straight conference shutout, the Matadors would have to earn a hard-fought win after 100 minutes of back-and-forth play with Hawai'i.

The Rainbow Wahine produced the game's first three shots including a shot from Raisa Strom-Okimoto that hit the cross bar in the second minute. Goalkeeper Jovani McCaskill made two saves in the opening 18:12 to keep Hawai'i off the scoreboard.

CSUN gained the momentum throughout the remainder of the first half, holding Hawai'i to just two shots while the offense began to generate scoring opportunities. The Matadors forced goalkeeper Monk Berger to make five saves in the period including a header from Thompson that Berger forced over the crossbar.

Outshooting Hawai'i 8-6 in the first half, CSUN also held a slight 6-5 edge in shots in the second period.

Moments after intermission, Cynthia Sanchez had her a shot blocked but her returning shot went to Kutscher who sent a shot at an open net but the Hawai'i defense stopped the attempt before it could cross the goal line.

After the teams took turns at each other's opposing net, Hawai'i looked for the go-ahead goal late in regulation. In the 88th minute, A scrum at the net forced McCaskill to come out from her post. With a solid look at the net from less than 10 yards away, Dani Crawford sent a shot that the CSUN defense kicked away.

McCaskill earned her four save on a close play near the top of the box in the 93rd minute. Finding room on the break, Sonest Furtado went one on one with McCaskill but the CSUN goalkeeper stopped the drive on a sliding play.

With another 101 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Matadors earned their 15th shutout of the season while McCaskill recorded her 14th individual clean sheet. CSUN has extended its shutout streak of conference opponents to six and has tied a program record with six-straight Big West victories, which was first set over two seasons from 2003-04. Overall, CSUN recorded shutouts against seven of its eight conference opponents this season.

In 11 home matches this season, CSUN only allowed two goals in over 1,060 minutes of play. The team also did not allow a goal in four home conference matches.

Playing in their final home match of their careers, all nine of CSUN's senior class saw action on Sunday. Thompson, Kutscher, Watson, Taylor Hobson, Briana Geffre, Sylvia Trinh and Krystal Kutscher all started in their last match at Matador Soccer Field. Both Breanna McCallum and Kyla Diekmann also earned playing time off the bench in the regular season finale.

The Matadors now set their sights on the Big West Conference Tournament in Long Beach. CSUN will face the host 49ers for the second time at George Allen Field this season. Long Beach State handed the Matadors their only loss in conference play this season earlier this month in a 2-1 decision in double overtime.

CSUN Wins Big West Regular Season Crown, Kutscher's Golden Goal Gives CSUN 1-0 Win

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Team Stats

Kourtney Kutscher

Camille Watson

Nicole Thompson

Cynthia Sanchez

Players Mentioned

Kyla Diekmann

Briana Geffre

Taylor Hobson

Kourtney Kutscher

Krystal Kutscher

Breanna McCallum

Jovani McCaskill

Cynthia Sanchez

Nicole Thompson

Sylvia Trinh

Camille Watson