CSUN Rallies to Force OT Before Falling in PK's to UCSB in Big West Semis

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Women's Soccer scored the equalizer in the 89th minute on a penalty kick from Paige Califf, forcing overtime and an eventual 1-1 tie after 110 minutes, before UC Santa Barbara prevailed in a penalty kick shootout 3-2 on Thursday at Matador Soccer Field. With the penalty kick victory, UCSB advances to the Big West Championship final versus Cal Poly on Sunday.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos jumped on the Matadors early in the first half, hitting the game's first goal in the 16th minute, shortly after a save from Riley Liebsack. Mya Delaney would have her shot stopped, but off the rebound, found Emma Corcoran for the strike that hit the net from inside the box. The Matadors would seemingly look for the equalizer for the remainder of the match. Cailey Jackson had her shot saved on a flick header that Maddie Buckley was just able to stop while Califf reached the frame as well in the 31st minute. Jordyn Canister, who had a team-high seven shots on the night, also sent a shot toward the goal that was saved by the Gaucho goalkeeper.

The Matadors continued to keep up the pressure on the defense throughout the final 45 minutes of action. CSUN outshot UCSB 10-2 in the period as the Matadors came within inches of tying the match on several occasions. Canister had two shots saved by Buckley in the second period while she hit the crossbar on a deep shot from the right top of the box. Moments after Jackson was off target on a shot from close range, CSUN gained a throw-in, which led to a pivotal handball from the Gauchos. The foul would take place in the box, leading to a video review and an eventual penalty kick awarded to the Matadors. With just 1:22 left in the match, Califf calmly hit the back of the net on the penalty kick to even the game at 1-1. CSUN earned a corner kick in the final seconds, but the score remained tied after 90 minutes.

Each side traded scoring chances over two 10-minute overtime sessions. Canister and Cassidy Imperial-Pham were each just off target while Liebsack made a game-saving stop in the 106th minute on a close-range attempt from Ava Dermott.

With the score still tied, the teams played a penalty kick shootout to determine a winner. Califf made the Matadors' first penalty kick attempt as the score was 1-1 after one round. Each side had shots saved in round two then CSUN took a 2-1 lead when Canister hit the net and Liebsack saved a shot from Sophia Moness. Needing two more goals over the last two rounds to clinch a win, the Matadors were denied each time by Buckley. Dermott hit the go-ahead goal in round five for UCSB while Buckley sealed a win with a save on CSUN's last shot.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN ends the 2025 season with an 8-7-5 overall record while UCSB sits at 13-4-5 as it moves on to the championship game.
The Matadors had a 21-9 edge in shots including a 6-4 lead in shots on goal.
CSUN also led 8-1 in corner kicks.
Liebsack finished with three saves in net.
Califf closes her season with a career-high four goals this season.
The group of Califf, Jackson, Siena Navarra and Sydney Lipkin played the full 110 minutes.
The match represents the final match for the Matadors' 10-member senior class consisting of Liebsack, Califf, Jackson, Imperial-Pham, Yoshi Rubalcava, Sami Kolin, Cami Alarcon, Samantha Healy, Jackie Victorio and Kennedy Williams.

ACCORDING TO COACH GINA BREWER
"Obviously, so proud of the team, so proud of the players, they fought hard until the very end. We had the comeback goal and was able to tie the game up and went into extra time. We had a couple of chances and thought we were going to put it away, but had to go into penalties. Obviously, the teams made some and missed some, coming down to the last one. A very tense game, very back and forth game with lots of opportunities, but overall proud of the team and their efforts."

SEASON RECAP
Picked to finish ninth in the Big West prior to the season, CSUN defied those expectations to not only make the Big West Championship but win the program's second regular season championship in team history and finish with the No. 1 seed. The Matadors would set a school record with seven consecutive shutouts during the year while also tying a school-best mark with six conference wins.

#GoMatadors

CSUN Rallies to Force OT Before Falling in PK's to UCSB in Big West Semis

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Team Stats

Paige Califf

Jordyn Canister

Cailey Jackson

Keilani Claiborne

Players Mentioned

Cami Alarcon

Paige Califf

Jordyn Canister

Samantha Healy

Cassidy Imperial-Pham

Cailey Jackson

Sami Kolin

Riley Liebsack

Sydney Lipkin

Siena Navarra

Yoshi Rubalcava

Jackie Victorio

Kennedy Williams