Matadors Win Third Straight, Top Hawai'i 2-1

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Women's Soccer (7-4-5, 3-1-1 BWC) erased a second-half deficit to defeat Hawai'i (6-8, 1-4 BWC) 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. Marissa Favela netted the equalizer, her team-leading fifth goal of the season, and Cynthia Sanchez scored her fourth of the year and 21st career goal. Jovani McCaskill registered four saves in net to earn the victory. The Matadors have won a season-high three-straight matches.

With her goal, Sanchez moved to within one goal of matching CSUN's all-time scoring leader Farryn Townley. Sanchez has also tied Townley for the most career points in team history with 48. In addition, the strike was Sanchez's 12th career game winner.

The Matadors outshot the Rainbow Wahine, 18-12, including 8-6 on shots on goal. Hawai'i finished with a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks. After 53 scoreless minutes, the teams would combine to score three times over a 15:21 span, however the Matadors would net two consecutive goals in less than 10 minutes to claim the Big West Conference match.

In the first half, the teams battled back-and-forth and traded chances at the net. CSUN took the first four shots of the match including a pair from Ariana Tran but neither attempt reached the frame. Raisa Strom-Okimoto took the Rainbow Wahine's first shot in the 16th minute followed by a shot from Favela that was blocked minutes later.

In the 22nd minute, Sarah Lau nearly gave Hawai'i the lead with a strike that was saved by the CSUN defense leading to a corner kick. Following the set piece, Kiri Dale sent a shot that went wide.

Favela recorded CSUN's only shot on goal in the opening period at the 28:08 mark but Alexis Mata made one of her six saves on the day on the play.

The Matadors came out quickly in the second half, earning a shot from Tran that was saved by Mata in the 47th minute. Moments later, a Hawai'I foul in its own box allowed CSUN to take a penalty kick. Sylvia Trinh took the shot but Mata was there to make the big stop. Mata made another save seconds later on a Sanchez attempt.

In the 54th minute, Hawai'i broke up the scoreless tie after Lillie French scored via a pass from Sonest Furtado from the left side. Unfazed, the Matadors would respond quickly.

Following a save from McCaskill, the Matadors moved up the field and played the ball into the Hawai'i box. Destinney Duron deposited a cross to Favela who headed the ball over Mata and into the netting.

Hawai'i looked to take the lead on the ensuing possession but McCaskill would make a save off a shot from Furtado. Moments later, the Matadors went back on the attack leading to Sanchez lobbing a shot into the goal from the right side to give CSUN a 2-1 lead.

Playing with the lead, the Matadors held the Rainbow Wahine at bay with strong defense. CSUN allowed just one shot over the final 23 minutes as McCaskill saved a shot from Keala Parker-Lee in the 80th minute to perserve the lead.

Sanchez collected a team-best six shots with four on goal in the match while Favela had five shots (two on goal). Defenders Lindsay Kutscher, Amanda Martin and Christina Nixon along with midfielder Kirsten Von Meter played the full 90 minutes.

CSUN returns home for a Thursday night match with first-place UC Irvine at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed live on the CSUN Sports Network presented by Dignity Health with Jose Avalos and Eduard Cauich on the call.

Matadors Win Third Straight, Top Hawai'i 2-1

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Team Stats

Cynthia Sanchez

Marissa Favela

Sylvia Trinh

Destinney Duron

Players Mentioned

Destinney Duron

Marissa Favela

Lindsay Kutscher

Amanda Martin

Christina Nixon

Cynthia Sanchez

Ariana Tran

Sylvia Trinh

Kirsten Von Meter