CSUN Hits the Road to Face CBU and UNLV This Week

GAME NOTES

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Men's Soccer will open a two-match week on the road at California Baptist this Wednesday with kickoff set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+. The Matadors finishes the week visiting UNLV at 7 p.m. with coverage on WAC International.

ABOUT LAST WEEK
CSUN earned its second shutout of the season in a 0-0 draw with Pacific last Thursday at Matador Soccer Field. For the fourth consecutive match, CSUN outshot an opponent as the team held a 13-10 edge in the shot department. Jorge Solorzano had a team-high five shots with two on goal. The Matadors would have a shot hit the post and five total shots reach the frame but could not find the deciding goal in the match. Goalkeeper Merrick Cook had a season-high five saves to help the defensive unit for CSUN.

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE
CSUN's defense continues to be the story in the early going this season. Through four matches, CSUN has allowed just two goals and posted a 0.50 goals-against-average. The Matadors top The Big West in GAA and save percentage (.895) while they rank second in shutouts with two. In the nation, CSUN checks in at eighth in Division I men's soccer in save percentage and 13th in GAA. In front of the goal, Merrick Cook tops The Big West in GAA (0.50) and shutouts (2) while he ranks fourth in saves (16).

MATADOR LEADERS
Newcomer Deryk Jones, Jr. paces the team with three points including a goal through four matches. Arturo Reveles is right behind at two points after scoring a game-winning goal at LMU on Aug. 25. Reveles shares the team lead with Zack Harris in shots taken with eight. Newcomers Jake Shaked and Siddiq Lezzar has seen every minute on the backline thus far this season.

SCOUTING CALIFORNIA BAPTIST
CBU holds a 1-1-2 overall record after falling for the first time this season to top-ranked West Virginia, 3-2 last Friday. The Lancers are coming off an NCAA Round of 32 appearance last season while they went 10-6-4 overall. CBU has won consecutive WAC tournament championships as the team was picked to finish second in the conference this season. Five different Lancers have scored goals this season with Blake D'Agostino scoring a team-high two goals. Goalkeeper Hugo Do Rego has 25 saves with a 1.00 GAA on the year.

Series History: CBU leads CSUN 2-0 in the all-time series. The teams squared off in Riverside last season with the Lancers pulling off a 3-1 victory. CSUN also hosted CBU in 2021 in a 1-0 defeat.

SCOUTING UNLV
The Rebels are 1-3 on the season after dropping a 4-1 decision at UC Santa Barbara last Friday. Prior to taking on CSUN, UNLV will travel to Cal State Bakersfield on Wednesday. In 2023, UNLV finished at 7-8-3 and would post a deep run in the WAC tournament where the team lost in the championship game. The Rebels were picked to finish fifth in the WAC prior to the season. Nico Lopez has a team-high two goals with five points this season as five different players have hit the net. Hugo Lemos has started each game in front of the goal, posting 19 saves with a 2.50 GAA.

Series History: The Matadors hold a 12-8 edge over the Rebels in the all-time series with victories in three straight. CSUN posted a 3-1 victory over UNLV last season at Matador Soccer Field. The teams last played in Las Vegas in 2022 with CSUN collecting a 2-1 win.

#GoMatadors

CSUN Hits the Road to Face CBU and UNLV This Week

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Players Mentioned

Merrick Cook

Zack Harris

Deryk Jones, Jr.

Siddiq Lezzar

Arturo Reveles

Jake Shaked

Jorge Solorzano