CSUN Cannot Overcome Three First-Half Goals in 3-1 Loss at Utah Valley

OREM, Utah---CSUN Women's Soccer dropped a 3-1 decision to Utah Valley on Thursday at Clyde Field. Cindy Arteaga scored the Matadors' lone tally in the 73rd minute as the Matadors could not overcome surrendering three first-half goals.

Utah Valley controlled the pace in the first half, eventually outshooting CSUN 11-2 in the period.

The Matadors withstood a shot attempt from Megan Sullivan that Taylor Thames stopped in the 10th minute, but the Wolverines would break through for two goals over a three-plus minute span to quickly open a 2-0 lead.

In the 11th minute, the Wolverines capitalized on a deep kick from their backline into the attacking third. Kathryn Wynn would send a long ball toward a streaking Faith Webber who brought Thames out from her post. Webber found Julianna Carter with a cross for a goal from eight yards out.

In similar fashion, Utah Valley got back into the scoring column in the 14th minute on another deep kick this time from Heather Stainbrook up ahead to Webber into an open field. Webber went one on one with Thames before finding the net for a two-goal lead.

Thames made six of her 12 saves in the first half including a terrific stop on a one-on-one with Stainbrook in the 23rd minute. Moments later though Thames made a save off the foot of Webber, but Carter cleaned up the play with a tapper to increase the UVU lead to 3-0.

After a sluggish first half on the offensive side, the Matadors picked up the pace after intermission and began creating scoring chances. Ashly Torres and Arteaga had shots blocked in succession in the 62nd minute before Ashley Cruz put a shot on goal two minutes later.

Arteaga finally broke through for CSUN in the 73rd minute. On a drive beginning at near midfield, Kacie Garrity dished ahead to Cruz up the middle of the field. After a dribble, Cruz sent a pass up ahead to Arteaga who found the net through the legs of goalkeeper Leah Wolf to cut the deficit to 3-1.

On the defensive side, the Matadors held firm in the second half, keeping the Wolverines off the scoreboard. Thames made six more saves in the second half include blocking away shots from Sullivan, Stainbrook and Carter. CSUN's goalkeeper also made an outstanding late save on a one-on-one attack from Tessa Thornton that Thames snuffed from close range.

CSUN would threaten to score on multiple occasions down the stretch of the match including picking up attacks from Arteaga and Cruz, but the Wolverines held on to a two-goal lead the rest of the way.

GAME NOTES
The Wolverines outshot the Matadors 21-9 including posting a 15-3 edge in shots on goal. Utah Valley also held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks. A total of 16 fouls were called in the match with CSUN whistled for 10 of them. Ashley Cruz and UVU's Tessa Thornton were shown yellow cards.

Cindy Arteaga's goal was her fifth of her career while Ashley Cruz picked up her third career assist and Kacie Garrity notched her second assist. Taylor Thames recorded double-digit saves for the second time this season, finishing with 12 on the night.

ACCORDING TO COACH CHRISTINE JOHNSON
"It was a tale of two halves. In the first half, we came out very slow and lacked attention to the details. We were very disorganized defensively as well. The second half was a little better. We had more moments where we were able to execute the game plan, but it was just a little too late. We put ourselves in a position where we had to chase the game and we never caught up."

UP NEXT
CSUN wraps up a two-match road trip on Saturday when it visits No. 6 BYU at 7 p.m. (PT). The game will air on BYUtv.

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CSUN Cannot Overcome Three First-Half Goals in 3-1 Loss at Utah Valley

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Team Stats

Cindy Arteaga

Ashley Cruz

Kacie Garrity

Ashly Torres

Players Mentioned

Cindy Arteaga

Ashley Cruz

Kacie Garrity

Taylor Thames

Ashly Torres

Players Mentioned

Cindy Arteaga

Ashley Cruz

Kacie Garrity

Taylor Thames

Ashly Torres