Ricketts' Early Second Half Goal Sends CSUN Past Pacific

STOCKTON, Calif.— Jamar Ricketts scored 1:14 into the second half to give CSUN a 1-0 victory over the University of Pacific Thursday night at Knoles Field.

Derick Roque threatened for Pacific in the seventh minute when his shot inside the CSUN box went off the crossbar. The Matadors received a corner kick a little over three minutes later. Jack Rhead would put an attempt high and right towards the Tigers' goal where it was saved by Eric Cotton.

After Bryan Bustamante's shot went high in the 12th minute, Pacific received a goal kick. The Matadors forced a turnover which resulted in Michael Mullins just missing from the right, 15 yards out. A Tigers' throw-in resulted in another turnover which resulted in Ricketts going high two minutes later. A Mullins header off a CSUN corner kick during the 15th minute went wide left.

The Matadors forced a third turnover in the 17th minute which resulted in Marley Edwards taking a shot from inside the 18 that Roque saved low and to the right. The Tigers mounted a pair of back-to-back corner kicks in the 33rd minute. On the second, Matador goalie Cooper Wenzel leaped in the air to take the ball away from Pacific and regain possession for CSUN. The ensuing offensive rush for the Matadors resulted in an Alex Lemus blast that was saved by Cotton.

The Tigers received a free kick from just outside the CSUN 18 in the 38th minute. Ryan Her went high above the Matador net, giving the Matadors a goal kick. The half ended with Cotton kicking the ball towards the CSUN net where Wenzel fielded it for a save.

Ricketts gave the Matadors a 1-0 lead 1:16 into the second half when he went to the top right corner of Cotton's net from 10 yards out. Rhead was credited with the assist on the play.

The Tigers took two of the next three shots in the match, but both would go wide of the CSUN net. Wenzel made a save in the 65th minute. Pacific earned a corner a little over two minutes later that the Matadors successfully defended. AJ Johnson missed wide right for CSUN in the 71st.

Play settled into the midfield until the 87th minute when the Tigers were awarded a free kick. Pacific's set pieced resulted in Wenzel again grabbing the ball out of the air to keep the Tigers at bay. With 40 seconds remaining Abdullahi Mohamed's attempt to the low right was saved by Wenzel to clinch the victory for the Matadors.

THE STATS
CSUN outshot Pacific (1-2) 18-10, 8-3 on goal…The Matadors held a 6-3 corner kick advantage…Ricketts' goal was his second of the season, it was Rhead's second assist of the year…Thursday was Wenzel's first career shutout as he made three saves…the reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Week, Wenzel has played all 270 minutes in goal for CSUN this season and has lowered his goals against average to 0.67.

ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH TERRY DAVILA
"It was a good win for us against at tough Pacific team. They posed a lot of problems in the midfield. We were able to attack at the right times. We played a great defensive game, resulting in the shutout. I though we deserved the result."

UP NEXT
CSUN (2-0-1) travels to UNLV Sunday night. The Rebels posted their second consecutive 0-0 tie as UNLV played No. 24 Loyola Marymount were both scoreless Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed on UNLV's YouTube channel.

~#UniteTheValley~

Ricketts' Early Second Half Goal Sends CSUN Past Pacific

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Team Stats

Jamar Ricketts

Jack Rhead

Dylan Gonzalez

Bryan Bustamante

Players Mentioned

Marley Edwards

Players Mentioned

Marley Edwards