Thursday, August 15
Riverside, Calif.
7:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
0-1-0, 0-0-0
0
at
1
California Baptist
1-0-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
CSUN
0
0
0
California Baptist
0
1
1
Photo by: Connor Clark
CSUN Drops Season Opener at CBU, 1-0
8/15/2024 9:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif.---A strike in the 50th minute would be the difference in CSUN's 1-0 season-opening loss to California Baptist on Thursday evening at CBU Soccer Stadium. Junior goalkeeper Riley Liebsack made her Matador debut in goal, racking up eight saves to help keep CSUN in the match throughout the evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN came out quickly on the offensive side of the ball, producing three shots over the first eight minutes of action. Cassidy Imperial-Pham recorded the first shot on frame just 4:19 into the contest. After the early flurry from CSUN, the Lancers countered with several attacks at the Matadors' net. Liebsack would face eight shots in the first half as she secured two saves and prevented any further damage with strong plays near her post. The score would remain deadlocked at 0-0 through the first 45 minutes of action.
Paige Califf earned a shot attempt to open the second half, but the Lancers answered with a drive up the field moments later. Following a corner kick, Morgan Witz made a strong move past the CSUN defense before producing a shot that was saved by Liebsack. However, Witz quickly recovered the rebound and deposited a second shot into the net for a 1-0 Lancer lead in the 50th minute.
The Matadors looked for the equalizer for the remainder of the match and nearly came away with the game-tying goal on multiple occasions. In the 73rd minute, Jordyn Canister put a header in a near perfect placement on the right side of the box for Keilani Claiborne who put a one touch toward the net that was saved by goalkeeper Bella Lister. Califf also struck the crossbar off a free kick in the 78th minute from the top of the box as Lister was able to get a hand on the shot.
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Down the stretch, Liebsack made four saves over the final 10 minutes of action including stopping a point-blank shot from Ava Westlund on a break. CBU would control the ball in the final minutes, preventing a possible CSUN equalizer en route to the victory.
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NOTES OF THE GAME
CSUN continues opening week with a road test at No. 8 Texas Tech on Sunday at 5 p.m. PT/7 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
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HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN came out quickly on the offensive side of the ball, producing three shots over the first eight minutes of action. Cassidy Imperial-Pham recorded the first shot on frame just 4:19 into the contest. After the early flurry from CSUN, the Lancers countered with several attacks at the Matadors' net. Liebsack would face eight shots in the first half as she secured two saves and prevented any further damage with strong plays near her post. The score would remain deadlocked at 0-0 through the first 45 minutes of action.
Paige Califf earned a shot attempt to open the second half, but the Lancers answered with a drive up the field moments later. Following a corner kick, Morgan Witz made a strong move past the CSUN defense before producing a shot that was saved by Liebsack. However, Witz quickly recovered the rebound and deposited a second shot into the net for a 1-0 Lancer lead in the 50th minute.
The Matadors looked for the equalizer for the remainder of the match and nearly came away with the game-tying goal on multiple occasions. In the 73rd minute, Jordyn Canister put a header in a near perfect placement on the right side of the box for Keilani Claiborne who put a one touch toward the net that was saved by goalkeeper Bella Lister. Califf also struck the crossbar off a free kick in the 78th minute from the top of the box as Lister was able to get a hand on the shot.
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Another close one
— CSUN Women's Soccer (@CSUNWSoccer) August 16, 2024
Paige Califf goes off the crossbar!#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/yeBs3XdIXP
Down the stretch, Liebsack made four saves over the final 10 minutes of action including stopping a point-blank shot from Ava Westlund on a break. CBU would control the ball in the final minutes, preventing a possible CSUN equalizer en route to the victory.
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What a save for Riley Liebsack to keep it a one-goal game late. #GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/Wgi036dThI
— CSUN Women's Soccer (@CSUNWSoccer) August 16, 2024
NOTES OF THE GAME
- CBU finished with 18 shots and nine on goal while CSUN had 10 shots with six on goal. Each side had a majority of their shots taken in the second half with CBU posting 10 attempts and CSUN finishing with seven.
- A total of nine corner kicks were recorded in the game with the Lancers holding a 7-2 edge.
- Paige Califf led the way for CSUN with four shots and two shots on goal.
- Five Matador field players saw 90 minutes on the field, which include Califf, Brooklin Woolf, Angelica Claiborne, Ashly Torres and Sami Kolin.
- Four Matadors made their debut in the game. In addition to Liebsack in net, freshmen Jordyn Canister, Keilani Claiborne and Kayden Perigo each played in their first CSUN match.
- Thursday's season opener represented the first game for Gina Brewer as CSUN head coach.
CSUN continues opening week with a road test at No. 8 Texas Tech on Sunday at 5 p.m. PT/7 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
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Team Stats
CSUN
CBU
Goals
0
1
Shots
10
18
Shots on Goal
6
9
Saves
8
6
Corners
2
7
Fouls
12
13
Scoring Plays
Morgan Witz (1)
GOAL by CBU Witz, Morgan.
49:54
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
MF/D
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's Soccer
F/MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
MF/D
/ Women's Soccer
MF
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