The Cal State Northridge women’s soccer team (9-9, 5-2 Big West) welcomes Long Beach State to Matador Field Sunday afternoon to close out the regular season on senior day.
Northridge is currently third in the Big West standings, but with a win, the Matadors will clinch the second spot in the conference and claim at least one home game for the upcoming tournament.
CSUN is coming into this game with a ton of confidence after winning 1-0 against UC Irvine last weekend, clinching a spot in the Big West tournament.
“This feels great. We’ve wanted this all year and this just shows what kind of team we are. We have heart, desire and determination, and we are ready for it,” sophomore midfielder Heidi Farran said.
The 49ers are 5-9-3 on the season and 1-4-1 against Big West opponents. They have struggled as of late, going winless since Oct. 4 at home versus UC Davis.
Despite the lack of overall success for Long Beach State, they have played a few really solid games this season. On Sept. 6, they defeated the Missouri Tigers 4-1 in Missouri. Later in the season, they tied the University of San Diego 0-0, who was once ranked third in the nation.
The 49ers are led by a couple of midfielders, Shauna Gordon and Lindsay Bullock. Gordon leads the team with five goals and 15 points, with Bullock behind her having four goals and nine points.
One of the problems that Long Beach has faced this year is their inexperience. They have only one senior on the team, midfielder Sarah Strohl. Yet, they have 13 freshman and many other sophomores that play consistent minutes.
CSUN will look to take advantage of that and finish the regular season on a good note with a victory. They have played well of late and it has not gone unnoticed.
“The girls have a well deserved two days off before we get ready to play on Sunday,” head coach Keith West said.
Freshman goalkeeper Cynthia Jacobo, who has started her college career with four consecutive shutouts, goes for her fifth and attempts to lengthen her school record of 417 scoreless minutes.
“She’s big-time, she’s a gamer. That girl flat out keeps the ball out of the net,” West said.
The Matadors will try to keep momentum on their side going into the Big West Tournament, and hopes to host the first-round game.
