Matadors Fall at #17 Pepperdine in Season Opener

Thursday, August 18

Malibu, Calif.

3:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

0-1-0, 0-0-0

#17 Pepperdine

1-0-0, 0-0-0

CSUN

Pepperdine

Photo by: Will Navarro

Matadors Fall at #17 Pepperdine in Season Opener

8/18/2022 5:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MALIBU, Calif.---CSUN Women's Soccer (0-1) opened up the 2022 season with an 8-0 defeat at No. 17 Pepperdine (1-0) on Thursday at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.

The Matadors were able to withstand three early shots and two corner kicks from the Waves in the early going, but Pepperdine would break through in the 16th minute of play and never look back.

After Cindy Arteaga made a run up the field, the Waves forced a turnover and went on the counterattack up the field. Trinity Watson set up Carlee Giammona with a long pass over the middle of the field where Giammona finished at the net on a drive.

CSUN continued to battle despite the early Pepperdine barrage and looked for offensive opportunities, which resulted in a pair of offside calls. Arteaga took the Matadors' first shot of the day in the 30th minute, but her attempt went high of the net. Shortly thereafter, the Waves went back on the attack and advanced the ball down the left side of the field. On the play, Victoria Romero found Melina Livadas on a cross in front of the net where Livadas scored on one touch.

Less than three minutes later, Livadas completed the brace with another goal in the 34th minute, capitalizing on another cross from Giammona. Thames would notch a save on a shot from Giammona, but CSUN committed a costly foul in its own box moments later. Pepperdine was awarded a penalty shot, which Watson scored for a 4-0 Waves lead.

Pepperdine continued to pressure CSUN in the early minutes of the second half, again resulting in scoring chances. Leyla McFarland notched Pepperdine's fifth goal in the 57th minute before scoring again on a corner kick, benefiting from passes from Watson and Kelsey Adams.

Arteaga may have had CSUN's best scoring chance in the 68th minute on a Matador counterattack. Arteaga was able to beat the defensive backline, but goalkeeper Taylor Rath made a save on a low shot.

The Waves added two insurance goals late in the match to stretch their lead to eight. Giammona got into the scoring act with a goal in the 79th minute before Tatum Wynalda struck the netting in the 83rd minute.

GAME NOTES
Twelve Matadors made their CSUN debut in the match including 10 freshmen. The freshmen trio of Yoshi Rubalcava, Stevie Reynolds and Sami Kolin all made the start in their first career game at CSUN.

Arteaga registered both of CSUN's shots on the day. Thames recorded six saves in 90 minutes in goal.

The Waves outshot the Matadors 25-2 in the match while holding a 14-1 edge in shots on goal and 12-0 advantage in corner kicks. A total of 18 fouls were committed in the game with CSUN whistled for 14 of them.

UP NEXT
CSUN makes the trip to California Baptist on Saturday eventing at 7 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.

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