Matadors Host UCSB, Cal Poly in Big West Action

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NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Women's Soccer (4-4-4, 0-1 BWC) continues Big West play this week with a pair of home matches. The Matadors face UC Santa Barbara on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. before taking on Cal Poly on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on the CSUN Sports Network via Big West.TV. Thursday's match with UCSB will be the first of a CSUN soccer doubleheader and will be followed by the men's soccer team hosting UC Santa Barbara at 7 p.m.

The Matadors look to regroup this week after dropping their Big West Conference opener at Cal State Fullerton (3-0) last Sunday. The Titans took the lead in the 20th minute off a strike from Tala Haddad and led by a goal until the 71st minute. Cal State Fullerton would break the game open with a pair of goals over a 2:19 span to prevent a late-match Matador comeback. Cynthia Sanchez and Marissa Favela each were credited with a shot in the loss. For the first time since Aug. 24, midfielder Jennifer Anderson made her return to the pitch after suffering an injury and played eight minutes off the bench.

This week, the Matadors look to continue their five-match unbeaten streak at home against conference opponents, which dates back to 2015. Last season, CSUN went 3-0-1 versus Big West foes. The last CSUN defeat at Matador Soccer Field took place against Long Beach State on Oct. 22, 2015. Overall, the Matadors are 5-2-1 over the past three seasons at home in conference play.

Favela continues to lead the Matadors in goals (4) and points (10) while she has two assists and 28 shots with 14 on goal. Sanchez is second on the team with two goals and leads the squad with 33 shots with 16 on goal. Ariana Tran also has two goals on the year with one assist and Sylvia Trinh is tops on the team with three assists. In net, Jovani McCaskill has collected 43 saves and four shutouts go along with a 1.16 goals-against-average.

CSUN and UCSB have squared off 24 times all time with the Gauchos holding a 15-9 edge. However, the Matadors have won five of the last six matches including three-straight victories with the last two coming in overtime. Last season, CSUN defeated UCSB 1-0 in Santa Barbara after Sanchez hit a golden goal in the 92nd minute. In all, the last seven matches between the two teams have all been decided by one goal.

The Matadors are 7-7-3 against the Mustangs in the all-time head-to-head series. CSUN has won three-straight matches against Cal Poly including four of the last five contests. A season ago, the Matadors claimed a 1-0 decision in San Luis Obispo behind a first-half goal from Lindsay Kutscher. The last six matches have been decided by a goal.

A Closer Look at UC Santa Barbara
The Gauchos are 4-6-3 this season and 0-2 in Big West Conference play. UCSB dropped its first two conference matches last week, both by a 4-1 decision, to UC Riverside and UC Irvine. Senior Amanda Ball leads the team with eight goals, 18 points, 42 shots and 20 shots on goal to go along with two assists. After hitting the net against the Anteaters, freshman Christine Maurer is second on the team with four goals. Senior Maddie Julian has seen the most action in net this season as she has 20 saves and three shutouts with a 1.21 GAA.

A Closer Look at Cal Poly
The Mustangs have gone 5-7-1 and 0-2 in conference competition. Cal Poly fell to UC Irvine 2-1 last Friday and suffered a 1-0 loss to UC Riverside on Sunday. Senior Megan Abutin has scored a team-leading four goals to go with 23 shots with 16 on goal. The trio of freshman Georgina Stiegeler and sophomores Jessica Johnson and Megan Demijohn have all collected two goals apiece. In net, sophomore Sophia Brown has amassed 44 saves, two shutouts and a 1.42 GAA.

Matadors Host UCSB, Cal Poly in Big West Action

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Players Mentioned

Jennifer Anderson

Marissa Favela

Lindsay Kutscher

Jovani McCaskill

Cynthia Sanchez

Ariana Tran

Sylvia Trinh