A Look at CSUN's Midfielders and Forwards

Photo by: Juan Ocampo

A Look at CSUN's Midfielders and Forwards

8/16/2016 10:45:00 AM | Women's Soccer

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NORTHRIDGE, CA---

Offensively speaking, the 2015 season was statistically one of the best seasons for CSUN Women's Soccer in a decade. For the first time since 2006, the Matadors boasted 17 different players with points. With 12 Matadors scoring goals last season, the team matched the 2014 and 2012 teams by producing the most players with goals since 2006. CSUN also scored 33 goals as a unit, the most goals by a Matador team in 10 seasons. Along with the high total of goals, the Matadors scored two or more goals on nine occasions last season, the most since 2005.

Looking at the midfielders and forwards on the 2016 team, the Matadors return many of their key offensive contributors from last year's squad. A total of 11 letterwinners return to occupy the midfield and forward positions for CSUN this season including eight upperclassmen. The team also welcomes back its top two scorers from last season in junior forward Cynthia Sanchez and senior midfielder Kourtney Kutscher. The Matadors' two leading scorers combined to score 17 of the team's 33 goals last season.

Possessing one of the most pivotal positions on the field, the Matadors boast a veteran core at midfield. Responsible for moving the ball up the field and patrolling both sides of the pitch, the Matadors' group of midfielders are led by six seniors.

A 2015 Big West Conference All-First Team member, Kutscher had a breakout season a year ago. Coming into her junior season with three points in her career, Kutscher netted six scores on a team-best .231 shooting percentage in 2015. Kutscher also amassed 26 shots with 12 on goal and posted two assists. Named one of three team captains along with seniors Nicole Thompson and Camille Watson, Kutscher earned a spot on the 2016 Big West Conference All-Preseason Team.

"For my senior year, I'm looking to lead the team on and off the field," said Kutscher about the upcoming season. "Obviously it's cool to get individual awards but I want our team to do well in our conference. I think if we all perform like we are capable of then we'll have a successful season."

While Kutscher's 2015 season was a year to remember, Taylor Hobson enters the new season looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued year. Missing the entire 2015 campaign, Hobson is hoping to pick up where she left off in 2014 when she earned an All-Big West Conference First Team nod. A three-time member of the all-conference team, Hobson heads into her senior season with four career goals along with 10 points.

Appearing in the starting lineup in 17 contests in 2015, Camille Watson gave CSUN versatility throughout last season. A tough, dependable midfielder and forward, Watson has tallied a goal along with two assists in each of her three seasons with the team. In her career, Watson has appeared in 56 contests and made 39 starts.

"Camille is ready to go this year," said head coach Keith West. "In my opinion, she could have been first team all-conference last year, but she got hurt in the middle of the year and missed some conference games, which may have resulted in her not receiving the recognition after the season. I think Camille is going to get a lot of recognition this year."

Joining the veteran midfielder group, seniors Breanna McCallum, Sylvia Trinh and Krystal Kutscher along with redshirt junior Ariana Tran all return after productive 2015 campaigns.

McCallum comes into her senior season with four career goals and three assists in 55 matches. Trinh appeared in a career-high 20 matches in 2015, collecting three assists and totaling eight shots with four on goal. In her first year with the Matadors last season, Kutscher made 14 appearances in the field, making one start while recording five shots. Tran posted career highs in several categories as a sophomore including games played (18), games started (18), goals (2), points (4), shots (12) and shots on goal (4).

"When you look at the midfield we have six seniors that are all ready for the challenge of a new season," said West. "We have Kourtney, who was first team all-conference, and Taylor, who has been first team all-conference, along with Sylvia, Breanna and Ariana, so we have plenty of talent and experience coming back this season. Sylvia, a fifth-year senior, has been hurt the last three and a half years. This is the first time she's been healthy for a full year and she's playing amazing. Krystal transferred last year and earned some minutes but this year she is ready to play at this level. She's eager to contribute and play extremely well."

In their second season with the team, sophomores Kirsten Von Meter and Marissa Favela also return after serving as reserves last season. Von Meter appeared in 18 matches and scored a goal along with an assist. Competing in seven matches during the conference season, Favela registered three shots with two on goal for CSUN in limited action.

Joining the returners, the Matadors have added newcomers Gabriella Hinojosa and Crystal Sanchez to the team. A Citrus Valley High School graduate, Hinojosa scored 29 goals over her last two seasons with the team. Sanchez prepped at Bishop Alemany High School and she participated on both the soccer and cross country teams.

"By also adding the likes of Jenn Anderson, who could play on defense or in the midfield, we have great talent in the midfield this season and it's exciting to see." said West.

Responsible for finishing plays and breaking down the last line of the defense, the Matadors have a combination of experience and youth at the forward position this season. Leading the diverse and dynamic group of forwards, Sanchez is looking to build off a historic 2015 season where she became the school's all-time single season scoring leader.

Sanchez etched her name in the CSUN record books, scoring 11 goals to become the first Matador in team history to score double-digit goals in a season. She also added three assists and tied Brianna Monka (2005) for the most points recorded in a season in CSUN history. Her unforgettable campaign ended with a 2015 Big West Conference All-First Team honor, the first of her career. One of two Matadors to also receive a spot on the 2016 Big West Preseason Team, Sanchez needs eight goals to become the all-time Matador career scoring leader.

Senior Kyla Diekmann and redshirt sophomore Justine Silvers also return after earning playing time off the bench in 2015. Missing her first two seasons because of injury, Diekmann saw her first action of her playing career last season as she recorded an assist in three matches. Silvers provided energy off the bench in her 11 contests as a freshman in 2015, recording five shots on the year with three on goal.

Sitting out the 2015 season, redshirt freshman Bret Guarino is expected to obtain minutes at forward in 2016 while newcomers and true freshmen Payton Armijo and Bethany Fitzsimmons have the ability to provide instant offense for CSUN.

"What I like about our midfield and our forwards is that they are interchangeable," said West. "Camille is going to get time at both positions. We have Sanchez, our all-time scoring leader, back and ready to go. At forward, we also have Bret Guarino, who was not healthy last year. Bret's fit this year and going to add a new dimension to our group on top. And Kyla Diekmann had a great spring season and she is ready for her senior campaign."

Prepping at Highland High School, Armijo scored in double-figures in each season with the Scots including scoring 24 as a senior. Fitzsimmons pulled off an historic senior campaign with Taft Union High School as she broke the California Central Section scoring record with 94 goals.

"With Payton, Bethany, Bret, Cynthia and Camille among our other returners, I'm expecting big things from our offense. Looking at our team, our offense and defense are strong. I think we have a complete team this season," said West.