CSUN Takes on Visiting Pacific on Thursday Night

GAME NOTES

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Men's Soccer returns to action on Thursday night against Pacific at Matador Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. on ESPN+.

ABOUT LAST WEEK
The Matadors suffered their first loss of the season in a 1-0 defeat to California on Sunday night at Matador Soccer Field. While CSUN outshot Cal 18-11 in the match, the difference was a 74th-minute goal for the Golden Bears. CSUN appeared to have the equalizer in the 75th minute when David Garcia got a touch on a ball that traveled near the goal line before it was hit away by a Cal defender. The Matadors thought they had the tying goal, but it was waved off as Cal went on to hold on for the victory. In goal, Merrick Cook finished with four saves on the night.

STREAK SNAPPED
CSUN's 1-0 loss to Cal on Sunday snapped an eight-game unbeaten streak going back to last season. The Matadors previously had not suffered a defeat since Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 at Cal Poly. Over the eight-game stretch, CSUN went 3-0-5 and posted three shutouts including one this season.

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE
CSUN's defense has been the story through three matches this season. As a team, the Matadors have allowed just two goals while registering a 0.67 goals-against-average, which ranks 28th-best in the nation. CSUN has also outshot its opponent in all three matches, allowing 28 shots on the year. Goalkeeper Merrick Cook has recorded a .846 save percentage in the early going with 11 total saves.

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

SCOUTING PACIFIC
The Tigers are 2-1 thus far on the season after picking up a 2-0 win at UC Riverside on Sunday night. Pacific also has a 1-0 win over UC Davis on the season while the team's only loss came at Missouri State (3-0). In 2023, Pacific went 5-8-4 overall with a 1-5-1 record in the WCC. Prior to the season, Pacific was picked to finish eighth in the WCC in 2024. Vinzent Zingel tops the Tigers with two goals while Jose Maria Barrera has the team's other goal on the year. In goal, Joshua Moya has played every minute, totaling 19 saves with a 1.00 goals-against-average.

Series History: Pacific leads CSUN 2-1 in the all-time series, which dates back to 1981. The Tigers have won each of the past two meetings, both of which played at Matador Soccer Field. In 2021, Pacific knocked off CSUN 2-1 while the teams also played in the 2016 NCAA Tournament with the Tigers again coming out on top, 1-0.

#GoMatadors

CSUN Takes on Visiting Pacific on Thursday Night

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Players Mentioned

Merrick Cook

David Garcia

Zack Harris

Deryk Jones, Jr.

Siddiq Lezzar

Arturo Reveles

Jake Shaked