Matadors Earn a Hard-Fought Draw at No. 16 Colorado

Saturday, September 2

Boulder, Colo.

12:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

2-0-4

#16 Colorado

3-0-2

OT 3

OT 4

CSUN

Colorado

Photo by: Paul Trafecanty

Matadors Earn a Hard-Fought Draw at No. 16 Colorado

9/2/2017 3:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Women's Soccer (2-0-4) remained unbeaten Saturday afternoon as the Matadors played to a scoreless draw at No. 16 Colorado (3-0-2) at Prentup Field. With the tie, the Matadors have matched the 2001 team's (5-0-1) school record of six games without a loss to start a year. In net, senior Jovani McCaskill posted six saves en route to recording her 23rd career shutout. As a team, CSUN blocked a season-high six shots.

"JoJo [McCaskill] was fantastic today and gave us one of her best efforts in her Matador career," said head coach Keith West. "All things considered, we played two nights ago for 110 minutes and we came here and played at altitude against a good team. The game plan was to sit back a little bit and we did that. We knew the longer we kept them at zero we would have more of a chance to succeed. There were times when we didn't challenge but we had our chances in overtime and that's all you can ask for as a coach."

Less than 48 hours after earning a 1-1 draw at home against Fresno State, the Matadors held the nationally-ranked Buffaloes off the scoreboard for a full 110 minutes despite seeing 24 shots in the match. In total, Colorado outshot CSUN 24-7 and held an 11-2 edge in corner kicks. The Buffaloes were also whistled for six fouls compared to CSUN's five.

"I think last year's squad set the tone and this year's team has brought that same mentality each game," said West. "We keep on grinding and grinding to the finish. I'm very proud of the the team coming back here today and competing for 110 minutes. We're bending but we're not breaking."

The Buffaloes went on the attack in the first half, registering four corner kicks in the opening 11:31. CSUN's defense collected a pair of blocked shots early on while the team withstood a a shot from Hannah Cardenas that hit off the crossbar.

Colorado earned nine shots in the opening half, however only one shot reached the frame. McCaskill made her only save in the 37th minute off a Camilla Shymka shot from the left wing.

After intermission, the Matadors continued to hold the Colorado offense at bay. Megan Massey took three of her team's first four shots but none hit the frame. McCaskill did her best to keep the game scoreless, collecting four saves in the 45-minute session. In the 72nd minute, Tatum Barton found room in the box but McCaskill put herself in position to make the save.

On the other end, Payton Jo Armijo took the Matadors' first shot of the second half from the top of the box that goalkeeper Jalen Tompkins stopped. Moments later, Sydney Gilbert also took a shot from outside the box but her attempt sailed high of the net.

McCaskill made two more saves in the final minutes of regulation including a late shot from Cassie Phillips to send the match into overtime.

In extra time, the Matadors began to turn the tide as the team earned more opportunities at the net. Cynthia Sanchez collected two of her team's three shots and as well as a shot on goal in 108th minute. In the final seconds, Bret Guarino had room on the break but her shot was blocked by the Colorado defense.

Of the four Colorado shots in overtime, only one reached McCaskill at the net. In the 101st minute, Taylor Kornieck sent a header towards the goal but McCaskill made a clean save.

McCaskill's 23rd shutout of her career brings her within four of matching CSUN assistant coach Cynthia Rosas' Matador all-time shutout record. On the season, McCaskill has registered an 0.58 goals against average and .833 save percentage.

The Matadors continue their four-game road trip next Friday at Washington State. Kick off is slated for 7 p.m.