CSUN Returns Home to Take on Cal on Sunday

GAME NOTES

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Men's Soccer (1-0-1) opens a two-match homestand on Sunday evening against visiting California. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. with Ghizal Hasan on the call on ESPN+.

ABOUT LAST WEEK
The Matadors opened the 2024 season last week, going 1-0-1 against a pair of nationally ranked top-20 teams. CSUN played to a hard-fought scoreless draw with No. 18 James Madison last Thursday at Matador Soccer Field. Goalkeeper Merrick Cook posted three saves en route to picking up the shutout while the Matadors outshot the Dukes 9-7 in the contest. Last Sunday, CSUN traveled to No. 11 LMU and pulled off a 2-1 upset. Deryk Jones, Jr. opened up the scoring at LMU with a fourth-minute goal and he would assist Arturo Reveles on the game winner in the 86th minute that broke a 1-1 tie.

CSUN's win over LMU was the program's highest-ranked win since Sept. 12, 2019 against seventh-ranked Washington while it was the Matadors' highest-ranked win on the road since Sept. 16, 2018 at UCLA.

RECEIVING VOTES
After an undefeated week against top-20 opponents, CSUN was one-of-11 teams to receive votes in this week's United Soccer Coaches top-25 poll. CSUN received the second-most votes (9) among teams not in the top-25 poll. The Matadors have not received votes in the United Soccer Coaches' weekly poll since week one of the 2022 season.

COOK EARNS BIG WEST HONORS
Sophomore Merrick Cook collected his second career Big West Defensive Player of the Week honor on Aug. 26. Cook surrendered just one goal over the first two matches of the season while posting seven total saves against 17 shots. He posted three saves, two of which in the first half, in picking up his first shutout of the season against No. 18 James Madison. Against No. 11 LMU, Cook went on to collect four saves with two in the second half in what was a 1-1 match for most of the period. CSUN went on to beat LMU 2-1 to ensure Cook's first win in goal this season.

MATADOR SCORERS LAST WEEK
Deryk Jones, Jr. recorded his first career goal and assist in the 2-1 victory over No. 11 LMU. Jones previously played just five matches from 2021-23 with the University of the Portland as he dealt with injuries over that span. Arturo Reveles, who was the recipient of the Jones assist, scored the game winner against the Lions in what was his first goal since the 2021 season. Reveles also has battled back from injury in his collegiate career as he missed all of last season.

SCOUTING CALIFORNIA
The Bears have gone 1-2 on the season thus far after dropping a 1-0 decision to LMU this past Thursday. Cal split its two games last week as the Bears fell at Denver 2-1 before knocking off Sacramento State 1-0. In 2023, Cal went 7-6-5 overall and 3-4-3 in its last season in the Pac-12. The Bears were picked to finish 13th in their first season in the ACC. Kevin Carmichael was placed on the ACC Preseason Watch List after scoring three goals last season. Beau Morrison and Giancarlo Mota have Cal's two goals on the year while goalkeeper Marco Brougher has seven saves in three starts.

Series History: Cal leads CSUN 7-3-1 in the all-time series, but the teams have not competed since the 2005 season when they played to a 1-1 draw in Berkeley. The Matadors have not hosted the Bears since Sept. 15, 2000 in what would be a 1-0 victory.

#GoMatadors

CSUN Returns Home to Take on Cal on Sunday

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Players Mentioned

Merrick Cook

Deryk Jones, Jr.

Arturo Reveles

California State University Northridge Athletics