CSUN Battles UC Davis to 0-0 Draw to Open Big West Play

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Women's Soccer (5-2-5, 0-0-1) played UC Davis (4-5-3, 0-0-1) to a scoreless draw in both teams' Big West Conference opening match on Friday evening at Matador Soccer Field. Holding a 15-7 edge in shots, six different Matadors recorded two shots apiece in the contest. Junior goalkeeper Jovani McCaskill stopped two shots in goal and the CSUN defense posted its ninth shutout of the season in the draw.

The Matadors competed in their fifth double overtime contest in 12 matches this season and for the fifth-straight time, CSUN earned a draw in 110 minutes of action.

The two sides combined to total six shots in the opening stanza as CSUN earned five shots including two on goal. Nicole Thompson placed the first shot on target in the 22nd minute with a header off a long free kick from Kourtney Kutscher. Thompson's low shot from inside the box forced goalkeeper Alexis Smith to trap the ball on the ground.

CSUN kept UC Davis at bay throughout the first half, allowing one shot in 45 minutes. The Aggies' only attempt would come near halftime as Rachel Ahr kicked a shot that was deflected away by the CSUN defense in the 41st minute.

The Matadors had another look at the net near the end of the half. Off a set piece, Lindsay Kutscher headed the ball near a sea of players inside the box. Smith, however, would make her second save of the half, catching the ball cleanly.

After intermission, CSUN created several more scoring opportunities on the Aggies' side of the field. Kourtney Kutscher had two of her shots blocked inside the box while both Cynthia Sanchez and Krystal Kutscher sent shots wide of the net.

In a pair of close calls in the second half, Smith saved two CSUN attempts from inside the box to keep the Matadors off the scoreboard. Receiving a throw in from Bethany Fitzsimmons, Thompson headed a flick pass back to Taylor Hobson near the left wing. Less than 10 yards from the goal, Taylor Hobson delivered another header that Smith saved low to the ground. Later in regulation, off another throw in from Fitzsimmons, Thompson headed a shot that Smith punched away on a sliding play to her left.

McCaskill earned both of her saves in the match early in the second half off a pair of long shots from Crystal Crump and Andi Damian. CSUN held UC Davis to three shots over the final 45 minutes of regulation as the game entered overtime deadlocked at 0-0.

The Matadors and Aggies had three shots apiece in the extra periods while Camille Watson recorded the only shot on target in the 105th minute of play.

In the first overtime, the Aggies' Celina Minissian delivered one of the closest calls of the evening. Finding room near the top of the box, Minissian fired a shot that hit the right post and trickled back into play. Ahr gathered the rebound near the right side but she delivered a shot wide of the net.

As the final seconds ticked away, Fitzsimmons had the last look of the night from inside the box but her attempt traveled wide left ensuring the scoreless draw.

With the draw, CSUN has now shut out opponents over its last six home matches. The team has not allowed a goal over the last 631:15 of home matches and has only surrendered one goal at home this season. The shutout is also the Matadors' eighth over their last nine matches.

For the second-straight season, the Matadors have earned a scoreless draw to open up Big West play. Coincidentally, CSUN played UC Davis to a 0-0 tie last season in its conference opener.

The Matadors continue conference play with a road match on Sunday at Long Beach State. Kick off is slated for 6 p.m.

CSUN Battles UC Davis to 0-0 Draw to Open Big West Play

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Team Stats

Camille Watson

Kourtney Kutscher

Cynthia Sanchez

Krystal Kutscher

Players Mentioned

Bethany Fitzsimmons

Taylor Hobson

Kourtney Kutscher

Krystal Kutscher

Lindsay Kutscher

Jovani McCaskill

Cynthia Sanchez

Nicole Thompson

Camille Watson