Matadors Conclude Homestand with Fresno State, Visit No. 16 Colorado

Thursday, August 31

Northridge, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

Fresno State

Photo by: Paul Trafecanty

Matadors Conclude Homestand with Fresno State, Visit No. 16 Colorado

8/30/2017 10:28:00 AM | Women's Soccer

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NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Women's Soccer (2-0-2) looks to stay unbeaten this week as the Matadors conclude a four-game homestand with Fresno State on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. before hitting the road to take on No. 16 Colorado on Saturday at noon. Live stats will be available for Thursday's match with the Bulldogs while Colorado will provide a video stream and live stats for Saturday's contest.

In last week's action, the Matadors defeated Houston 2-0 and claimed a 2-1 decision in overtime over Utah Valley. Against the Cougars, Cynthia Sanchez netted her first goal of the season and 18th of her career while Marissa Favela hit a penalty kick in the two-goal win. On a hot Sunday afternoon versus the Wolverines, the Matadors took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Ariana Tran, and needed extra time to post the 2-1 victory. Favela recorded the golden goal in the 92nd minute off a pass from Tran.

CSUN outshot its opponents last week 39-21 including earning a 17-5 edge in the shots on goal department. The Matadors also held Houston to only six shots as well as no shots on goal for the full 90 minutes. In goal, Jovani McCaskill notched her 22nd career shutout against Houston and she posted four saves in the win over Utah Valley.

For her efforts last week, Favela earned her first career Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Week award on Monday. Favela, who has scored goals in each of the last three matches, collected five points in the two CSUN victories. Along with her golden goal against Utah Valley, Favela picked up an assist off a corner kick to Tran. Tied for the conference lead in goals and points, Favela has registered three goals, seven points, one assist and a league-best 17 shots this season.

Sanchez's 18th career goal against Houston tied her with Kristy Krohn (2004-07) for third place all time on the Matadors' scoring list. Up next, Sanchez can catch Erin Broadwell (1998-01) for second place with one more goal and can tie all-time leader Farryn Townley (2006-10) with four more goals this season. Sanchez is also tied with Melissa Fernandez (2009-12) for fifth all time on the Matadors' career points list with 41.

McCaskill's shutout against Houston moved her within five of tying assistant coach Cynthia Rosas' CSUN record of 27 career shutouts. She also moved into sole possession of fourth place on the school's all time minutes list with 3,947. This season, McCaskill has amassed a 0.67 goals against average and .769 save percentage.

CSUN and Fresno State have met a total of 10 times with the Matadors holding a 5-4-1 edge in the head-to-head series. Unbeaten in the last three meetings, the Matadors posted a 2-1 road victory over the Bulldogs two seasons ago as Sanchez scored both goals. The teams battled to a 1-1 draw in their last meeting at Matador Soccer Field on Aug. 26, 2012.

The Matadors' Saturday match with Colorado will be the first ever meeting between the two programs in women's soccer. After taking on the Buffaloes, the Matadors will face another Pac-12 team, Washington State, on Friday, Sept. 8. CSUN's last victory over a Pac-12 school came in a 3-1 win over Oregon State in 2013 and its last road win against a Pac-12 team came in a 3-1 triumph at Oregon in 1999.

A Closer Look at Fresno State
The Bulldogs have gone 1-2 this season after dropping a 2-1 decision at Sacramento State last Saturday. A season ago, Fresno State finished 10-8-1 and 5-5-1 in the Mountain West Conference. Named to the 2016 All-Mountain West Newcomer Team, sophomore Julia Glaser leads the team with two goals on six shots this season. The trio of sophomore Kasidee Wiley and seniors Peyton Cline and Myra Delgadillo all have a goal this season. Junior Nicole Theroux has amassed over 189 minutes in net and posted an 0.95 GAA and .818 save percentage.

A Closer Look at Colorado
The Buffaloes (3-0-1) are unbeaten through their first four matches and have not allowed a goal this season. Colorado handed TCU a 1-0 loss last Friday and UC Riverside a 6-0 defeat on Sunday. A season ago, Colorado tied a school record for wins (15-6-1) and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Freshman Marty Puketapu has collected three goals to go along with an assist while 2016 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Taylor Kornieck has found the net twice. Sophomore Jalen Tompkins has played 225 minutes in net for the Buffaloes and collected three saves.