Matadors Defeat Portland State, 1-0, to Open up Season

Friday, August 19

Portland, Ore.

1:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

1-0-0

Portland State

0-1-0

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

Photo by: Juan Ocampo

Matadors Defeat Portland State, 1-0, to Open up Season

8/19/2016 4:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

A late second half goal from senior Sylvia Trinh proved to be the difference in CSUN Women's Soccer's (1-0) season opening 1-0 victory over Portland State (0-1) on Friday afternoon at Hillsboro Stadium in Portland, OR. Trinh earned her first career goal and game winner, cashing in on a pass from senior Taylor Hobson in the 79th minute of play.

Earning several scoring chances throughout the afternoon, the Matadors challenged the Portland State defense for nearly the entire match. CSUN outshot the Vikings 16-5 in the contest and registered eight shots on goal to Portland State's two. The Matadors also held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks but despite leading every offensive category, CSUN was unable to light up the scoreboard for most of the contest.

After a scoreless first half where the Matadors outshot Portland State, 5-4, CSUN controlled the ball for nearly the entire second period, creating several scoring opportunities. In one of the closest calls of the afternoon, senior Kourtney Kutscher received a pass inside the box and went one-on-one with PSU goalkeeper Abbie Faingold to the right of the goal but Faingold stopped Kutscher with a diving play to her left.

Moments later, the Matadors received a pair of shots from Breanna McCallum and Kutscher, however the Portland State defense prevented both shots from striking the net.

Saving five shots in the second half, Faingold entered the match at intermission and made strong plays to keep CSUN scoreless. Shortly after Kutscher fired a shot that just curved wide of the left corner of the net, Faingold batted away a Cynthia Sanchez shot from about 10 yards out.

With the game scoreless entering the 79th minute, a determined Matador offense broke through with the go-ahead score. Playing with the ball on Portland State's side of the field, the Vikings defense momentarily batted away a CSUN drive but Hobson collected the free ball and flicked a pass to a streaking Trinh inside the box. Trinh went one-on-one with Faingold and sent a shot passed the PSU 'keeper into the net.

Ahead by a goal, the Matadors played strong defense down the stretch to prevent the Vikings from evening the contest. CSUN held Portland State without a shot over the final 11 minutes and continued to dominate the ball en route to earning the win.

Coming off seven shutouts last season, the Matador defense baffled the Vikings throughout the afternoon. Holding Portland State to a one shot in the second half, seniors Nicole Thompson, sophomores Lindsay Kutscher and Christina Nixon, gave the Matadors steady play on the backline in 90 minutes of action. Along with senior Briana Geffre, who played 79 minutes, the defense made several stops as well as created many turnovers throughout the day. Only two of the Vikings' five shots reached the goal.

In net, McCaskill recorded her eighth career shutout, bringing her one clean sheet away from entering the top five in the Matadors' all-time shutout list. Limited to only three matches last season, McCaskill has posted three shutouts over her last four matches in goal.

Playing just four games in her first three years with the Matadors, Trinh notched her first goal in 25 career matches with CSUN. Recording three assists last season, Trinh has earned five points in her collegiate career.

Friday's opener marked the first Matador appearance on the pitch for redshirt freshmen Bret Guarino and Amanda Martin. Guarino played 34 minutes off the bench, picking up a shot on goal while Martin played 11 minutes on defense.

Kutscher and Hobson led the team with four shots while Kutscher recorded a team-leading three shots on goal. Sanchez and Camille Watson each chipped in with two shots apiece.

The Matadors return to action on Sunday with a road match at Oregon State. Kick off is slated for 12 p.m.