California State University at Northridge
4-9-1, 2-2-1
UC San Diego
2-10-2, 0-4-1
Second-Half Offensive Outburst Lifts CSUN Past UC San Diego, 3-1
10/6/2024 9:25:00 PM | Women's Soccer
With the victory, the Matadors have already registered their most wins since the 2019 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Matadors threatened at the start of the game with Paige Califf putting a shot on frame and Kaylee Gutierrez just missing wide in the 11th minute. However, UCSD would strike five minutes later. On the scoring play, Alexis Nguyen picked up a long pass near the right corner and sent a cross to the top of the box. After a few bounces, Lindsey Park sent a tapper inside the left corner post for a 1-0 Triton lead. Goalkeeper Riley Liebsack prevented any further damage a minute later with a save off the foot of Courtney Hilliard. CSUN outshot UCSD 5-3 in the first half but still entered halftime trailing by a goal.
The Matadors turned the tables in the second half, coming out as the aggressors leading to a barrage of scoring chances in the early minutes of the period. After earning a free kick in the 54th minute, Kayden Perigo nearly found the net with a tapper near the goal line, which was saved by goalkeeper Ginny Fronk. However, Jackson soon cleaned up the play off the rebound to square the game at 1-1.
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THE EQUALIZER!
— CSUN Women's Soccer (@CSUNWSoccer) October 7, 2024
Cailey Jackson scores her third goal of the season to knot the game in the 54th minute.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/KfARUgmmtJ
CSUN was far from done though as a corner kick led to another goal in the 57th minute. Califf took the corner and sent a high lob that was headed by Jackson in a scrum inside the box. The ball was headed again before Perigo finished with a tapper at the goal line to give CSUN its first lead of the match. The score would remain 2-1 until the Matadors capitalized on another set piece in the 61st minute. Rubalcava took the kick and sent a laser that struck the left corner of the net.
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TWO GOALS IN LESS THAN FOUR MINUTES!
— CSUN Women's Soccer (@CSUNWSoccer) October 7, 2024
A battle in the box ends with a tally from Kayden Perigo. 2-1 CSUN. #GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/fVSpwzoLd9
The Matadors' defense held firm down the stretch of the match, holding the Tritons to just three shots in the second period. UCSD earned two corner kicks over the final four minutes but could not find the net due to stingy CSUN defense. Hilliard took the Tritons' last shot of the match in the 88th minute with her attempt blocked away by the defense.
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A BEAUTY. ??
— CSUN Women's Soccer (@CSUNWSoccer) October 7, 2024
Yoshi Rubalcava scores her team-leading fourth goal of the season on a bending free kick.
CSUN leads 3-1, with all three goals coming in the last 7:38.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/OiYHiTIhGS
NOTES OF THE GAME
- CSUN improves to 4-9-1 overall and 2-2-1 in Big West play while UC San Diego drops to 2-10-2 overall and 0-4-1 in conference.
- The Matadors outshot the Tritons 17-6 in the match including 12-3 in the second half. CSUN also held a 9-3 edge in shots on goal.
- The Tritons finished with a 5-4 lead in corner kicks.
- A total of 26 fouls were called in the match with each side whistled for 13.
- Perigo's goal was her first career game-winning strike.
- Rubalcava scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season while Jackson netted her third.
- Liebsack finished with two saves in the victory.
ACCORDING TO COACH GINA BREWER
"We coached them on a few adjustments that needed to be made at halftime. Defensively, with how we were approaching our defending and then a few ideas attacking wise where we could be more dangerous, and the team did a fantastic job. They are extremely coachable, and they did exactly what we asked them to do and executed it. We are very excited to be able to put that second half comeback together.
"We are really enjoying coaching this group. We do feel like we've been close, and it's a few little things here and there that need to be better. This group is very capable when we play our best. We started a little bit slow in the first half today then we started to put it together for a really good second half."
POST GAME COMMENTS FROM CAILEY JACKSON
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Junior Cailey Jackson on her goal tonight and the team's win vs. UC San Diego.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/jw14NihKMT
— CSUN Women's Soccer (@CSUNWSoccer) October 7, 2024
UP NEXT
CSUN hits the road next week for a matchup with UC Riverside on Sunday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
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Team Stats
Lindsey Park (2)
Assisted By: Alexis Nguyen
7 receives ball down left sideline, then a cross to the middle where 10 taps it in inside the 18.
15:58
Cailey Jackson (3)
Assisted By: Kayden Perigo
Off free kick, 9 has her shot saved from 8 yards, GK unable to retain possession, 13 picks up rebound and scores.
53:15
Kayden Perigo (2)
Assisted By: Cailey Jackson
Off corner, 13 header to 9 who finishes with a tapper from the left side.
56:40
Yoshi Rubalcava (4)
GOAL by CSUN Rubalcava, Yoshi.
60:53
