The Cal State Northridge women’s soccer team (10-9, 6-2 Big West) finished the regular season strong with a 1-0 victory over Long Beach State.

With the win, the Matadors claimed second place in the Big West Conference, allowing them to host the opening round of the conference tournament later this week.

It’s the first time since 2004 that the Matadors have reached the four-team tournament and the first time in the programs history that they will play a home game in it.

“This means a lot,” head coach Keith West said. “My first year as an assistant in 2004 we got in, I think we finished fourth. This year we can host a game.”

Freshman goalkeeper Cynthia Jacobo continued her stellar play, maintaining her shutout streak. Jacobo has now begun her career with five consecutive shutouts and has played 507 minutes without giving up a goal.

“This gives us a lot more confidence and helps bring our energy up. It should help us prepare for the next game” Jacobo said.

The game’s only goal came early into the first half when sophomore forward Heidi Farran put in her second consecutive game winner.

Freshman defender Katie Russ sent a nice pass though the midfield to junior forward Farryn Townley, who led Farran for the shot from straight on, which she buried for the 1-0 lead.

It was Farran’s fourth goal of the season, as she finished the regular season with nine points (4 goals, 1 assist).  Russ and Townley were credited with the assists on the play.  For Townley, she finished the year leading the team in goals and points with eight and 18 respectively.

Long Beach State finished with 12 shots, compared to only eight for CSUN.  However, Jacobo as usual was up to the challenge.  She finished with four saves and is now 5-0 with a 0.00 goals against average; pretty impressive for someone who began the year as the fourth goalie on the depth chart.

Heading into the tournament, the Matadors have won five of their last six games, all of which have been 1-0. The lone loss came in a non-conference game against Cal State Bakersfield when the bench played most of the game.

Northridge’s biggest rival, UC Santa Barbara, will be the opponent in the opening round of the tournament this Thursday.

Earlier in the season, the Gauchos defeated CSUN 3-2 in a hard-fought game that saw Northridge score two goals in the final fifteen minutes, only to give up the game-winner with under three minutes remaining.

CSUN looks for redemption with an opportunity to move on to its first conference finals appearance.