The CSUN women’s soccer team and the UC Davis Aggies settled for a 0-0 draw after extra minutes on Friday night.
The Matadors opened their Big West campaign at home against the Aggies, a team they have beaten the last five times at home. The Matadors have amassed an impressive record when it comes to conference home openers at 12 wins, six losses, and only one draw.
The Matadors came into the game with a potent offense, having scored goals in seven of their last 11 games. They took 15 shots throughout the game, but only five were on target. Most of those chances were created off set plays from free kicks and throw ins. The offense could not connect in the final third of the field thanks to an off night and a disciplined Aggies defense.
The Matadors most dangerous plays came in the 22nd minute when a free kick from senior midfielder Kourtney Kutscher was headed by senior defender Nicole Thompson. The other was a 65th minute throw in taken by freshman forward Bethany Fitzsimmons to Thompson who flicked the ball towards senior midfielder Taylor Hobson for a header. Both plays saw the Aggies keeper keep the ball out of the net.
After the game, Kutscher saw room for improvement.
“I think getting forward, and our quality in the final third and finishing our chances,” Kutscher said.
The Matadors offense may have had an off night, but the defense was an impenetrable wall.
They held the Aggies to seven shots and only two scoring chances. In the first half, the Aggies had only one shot and it did not force Matadors senior goalkeeper Jovani McCaskill into making a save.
The second half saw McCaskill make her only two saves for the game, an early attempt at the beginning of the half, and in the 60th minute. The defense adjusted and made sure the Aggies did not challenge their keeper for the remainder of the game.
McCaskill had high praise for the team’s defensive performance on the night and the season so far.
“I love our team defense. We keep that up, the goals are going to come. If we keep our goals against ratio low, the goals are going to come,” McCaskill said.
Head Coach Keith West looked at his team’s performance on the night and talked about the improvements they need to make before their next game.
“To have some more quality. To follow the plan,” West said.
The Matadors will travel to Long Beach State on Sunday, Oct. 2. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
