Matadors Control Both Sides of the Pool in 14-4 Win

Friday, March 23

Northridge, CA

12:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

#25 Cal State East Bay

Photo by: Paul Trafecanty

Matadors Control Both Sides of the Pool in 14-4 Win

3/23/2018 1:35:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---Six Matadors hit the back of the net as No. 20 CSUN Water Polo (14-11) defeated No. 25 Cal State East Bay 14-4 on Friday afternoon at Matador Pool. Seniors Madeleine Sanchez and Katelyn Fairchild led the way offensively with four goals apiece while senior goalkeeper Niki Van Vugt racked up six saves and allowed no goals in three quarters of action.

With her four goals, Sanchez has moved into third place all time in Matador history with 214 career goals. Sanchez is just three goals away from reaching second place, occupied by Marisa Young (2012-15), and nine goals away from breaking the Matador career scoring record set by Allison Brookes (2005-08).

"It's always nice to play at home in front of our home crowd," said head coach Matt Warshaw. "We've been focused on our individual defensive fundamentals and team defense, so to be leading 10-0 after three quarters was great to see. Our execution on the defensive end today was about as good as we've been all season. Some very unselfish play from our team."

The Matadors jumped all over the Pioneers in the first quarter behind Fairchild. The senior hit the net three times including once on a power play. CSUN was whistled for three ejections in the period but the Matador defense came through each time to keep Cal State East Bay off the scoreboard.

In the second quarter, CSUN increased its lead to four goals in the opening minutes as Sanchez notched her first tally. The Matadors continued to stifle the Pioneers' offense throughout the eight minute session including withstanding four power plays. Sanchez would hit another goal on a CSUN power play at the 3:10 mark, and Madasonne Butler also struck the netting less than a minute later. Fairchild scored again with just eight seconds remaining to give the Matadors a comfortable 7-0 lead at intermission.

The Matadors stretched their lead even further in the third period, outscoring the Pioneers 3-0. Rachael Fusco got into the scoring act with 3:51 on the clock, and Daci Hughes added another on a power play. Katia Andon-Mateos then extended the lead to double-digits on a 6-on-5 possession with under three minutes to go. Van Vugt would make a stop on a penalty shot at 6:14 mark as the Matadors' defense held the Pioneers scoreless for another period.

Sanchez opened up the scoring in the fourth quarter on a penalty shot to stretch the lead to 11. Auriel Bil would finally break the Pioneers' scoreless string with two goals early in the period. The Matadors though would lead comfortably throughout the final stanza as Sanchez, Butler and Andon Mateos each scored in the last 5:12 of the match.

As a team, CSUN finished with 14 steals as Andon-Mateos, Sanchez, Emma Franck, Lindsey Garcia and Shannon Hovanesian each had two apiece. Paula Abellan Garcia picked up two field blocks in the match while Franck, Jennalyn Barthels and Ashlee Sellung all recorded two assists.

The Matadors continue their homestand on Saturday with a pair of matches. CSUN hosts No. 12 Hartwick at 11 a.m. before tangling with Redlands at 3 p.m. Live stats will be available for both matches.

CSUEB - 0-0-0-4 = 4
CSUN - 3-4-3-4 = 14

CSUEB goal scorers: Bill 2, Smith, Taylor
CSUN goal scorers: Sanchez 4 (39), Fairchild 4 (37), Butler 2 (18), Andon-Mateos 2 (6), Hughes (5), Fusco

CSUEB saves: Nation 7
CSUN saves: Van Vugt 6 (141)