No. 19 CSUN Notches Wins Over Azusa Pacific, Toronto

Azusa Pacific Box Score
Toronto Box Score

GLENDORA, Calif.---No. 19 CSUN Water Polo built off the momentum established last weekend at the Triton Invitational with two victories on Saturday morning. The Matadors defeated Azusa Pacific 7-4 and routed the University of Toronto 13-3 at the Citrus Aquatics Center.

In front of the cage, senior Niki Van Vugt tallied 12 saves in the opening match while freshman Emma Pfister collected eight of her own against Toronto. Offensively, freshman Elyse Koe picked up a career-high four goals versus Toronto. Madeleine Sanchez had a hat trick in the opener, and Emma Franck scored her first goal of her career.

Azusa Pacific Recap

The Matadors got off to races quickly against Azusa Pacific with a goal in the first minute from Sanchez on the power play. Lindsey Garcia added to the lead less than two minutes later, and Sanchez notched her second goal of the match at the 2:43 mark to push the CSUN advantage to 3-0. The Matadors held Azusa Pacific scoreless for the entire eight minutes in the first period.

APU flipped the script in the second period with three goals of its own while holding the Matadors scoreless. Britni Tisdale hit the team's first goal, and Mar Pastor scored twice to even the match at the half.

The score remained even until the 5:22 mark in the third quarter where Sanchez gave the Matadors the lead again. Tisdale would even the match once more at the 2:21 mark but CSUN went back in front on a score from Franck.

Leading 5-4 in the four period, the Matadors collected an insurance goal from Garcia three minutes into the quarter. CSUN turned up its defense in the four quarter when it mattered most, holding the Cougars without a goal for the full eight minutes. Amy Yule hit the back of the net to add to the lead at the 2:56 mark, and CSUN held on for the 7-4 victory.

"The team played a strong second half defensively against a veteran Azusa Pacific team, holding them to one goal in the second half," said head coach Matt Warshaw.

Shannon Hovanesian picked up five steals, two assists and two field blocks while Sanchez recorded two assists and two steals.

CSUN – 3-0-2-2 = 7
APU – 0-3-1-0 = 4

CSUN goal scorers: Sanchez 3 (15), Garcia 2 (6), Yule (6), Franck
APU goal scorers: Tisdale 2, Pastor 2

CSUN saves: Van Vugt 12 (75)
APU saves: Marquez 4

Toronto recap

In the first quarter, the Matadors jumped out to a two-goal lead after goals from Paula Abellan Garcia and Katelyn Fairchild struck the netting. Ana Miroslavic netted two goals in the period for Toronto but the Matadors stayed in front after late goals from Katia Andon-Mateos and Koe.

After the high scoring first period, the Matadors netted two goals in the second period to stretch their lead to 6-2 at the half. Madasonne Butler picked up both CSUN goals in the quarter, both of which on even strength possessions.

Abellan Garcia notched her second goal of the match before Miroslavic earned the hat trick with her third goal at the 4:52 mark of the third quarter. CSUN created some breathing room late in the period with back-to-back goals.

Leading 9-3 heading to the fourth, the Matadors broke the game open further in the eight-minute session. Koe scored twice to push her game total to four, helping CSUN put the match away.

On the defensive side, Sanchez picked up five steals to lead the team to go along with an assist. Jennalyn Barthels had three assists and three steals in the contest.

TOR – 2-0-1-0 = 3
CSUN – 4-2-3-4 = 13

Toronto goal scorers: Miroslavic 3
CSUN goal scorers: Koe 4 (6), Abellan Garcia 2 (10), Butler 2 (7), Hughes 2 (3), Fairchild (19), Yule (7), Andon-Mateos (2)

Toronto saves: Jaffe 7
CSUN saves: Pfister 8 (43)

The Matadors return to action next Friday to kick off the Barbara Kalbus Invitational in UC Irvine. CSUN faces California in the opening round with a start time of 11:15 a.m.

No. 19 CSUN Notches Wins Over Azusa Pacific, Toronto

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Players Mentioned

Paula Abellan Garcia

Katia Andon-Mateos

Jennalyn Barthels

Madasonne Butler

Katelyn Fairchild

Emma Franck

Lindsey Garcia

Shannon Hovanesian

Elyse Koe

Emma Pfister

Madeleine Sanchez

Niki Van Vugt

Amy Yule