CSUN Suffers 2-1 Defeat to Utah Tech

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Women's Soccer fell by a 2-1 margin to Utah Tech on Thursday evening at Matador Soccer Field. Senior Cailey Jackson netted her second goal of the season while senior Riley Liebsack finished with four saves in net. The Trailblazers would find the eventual game winner in the 30th minute as CSUN nearly came away with the equalizer down the stretch.

HOW IT HAPPENED
All three goals of the match would come in the first 30 minutes of action. Utah Tech struck first in the ninth minute when a CSUN clear out led the to the game's first goal. Off the clear out, Abby Olsen controlled the ball from the left side, made a dribble and finished the play with a shot that found the far corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead. That lead though would last less than three minutes as CSUN had a response in the 11th minute. After drawing a foul inside midfield, a free kick into a crowd in the box led to a deflection from the Utah Tech defense. Lia Peterson found possession and tapped the ball back into the box where Jackson was positioned. The CSUN senior beat the Trailblazer goalkeeper to the ball and headed the ball into the net to even the game at 1-1.

The score would be tied until the 30th minute when Utah Tech regained the lead on a well-struck shot from Bre Koscielski who found the net from 22 yards, passed a diving Liebsack. Trailing 2-1, CSUN kept within striking distance for the remainder of the half with Liebsack making a late save in the 41st minute.

The second half would have several close calls from both sides. Liebsack totaled three saves in the second period including an acrobatic save in the 60th minute on a strong attack from Kyah Le. Moments after that save, Jordyn Canister found room from over 20 yards and struck the crossbar on a laser from the right. Peterson nearly the hit the net as well in the 81st minute after she received a cross, but her shot from inside 12 yards was saved by goalkeeper Brianna Frey. Yasmin Azar had the Matadors' last look of the night in the 85th minute, missing wide left.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN drops to 1-3-1 overall and Utah Tech improves to 2-2-1.
The Trailblazers finished with a slim 14-13 edge in shots while Utah Tech led 6-2 in shots on goal.
The Matadors posted a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.
A total of 17 fouls were committed in the match with Utah Tech issued nine to CSUN's eight.
Defenders Paige Califf, Siena Navarra and Sydney Likpin played the full 90 minutes.
Califf had a team-high three shots.

ACCORDING TO COACH GINA BREWER
"We are working hard and the team has improved a lot, but at the end of the day, you have to execute when you have your opportunities. The shot count was 14-13, they outshot us by one, but they had a six shots on goal and we had only two, so we have to work on being more clinical in the attack. We created opportunities and a lot of positive improvement for sure, but we have to learn how to get over that hump and continue to put the ball in the back of the net."

UP NEXT
CSUN hits the road for a Sunday matchup with the University of San Diego. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. on ESPN+.

#GoMatadors

CSUN Suffers 2-1 Defeat to Utah Tech

Next Event

Team Stats

Cailey Jackson

Lia Peterson

Paige Califf

Yasmin Azar

Players Mentioned

Yasmin Azar

Paige Califf

Jordyn Canister

Cailey Jackson

Riley Liebsack

Siena Navarra

Lia Peterson