CSUN’s women’s soccer came into their game against UC Irvine with a 1-5-2 last place record in the Big West Conference. Having been already eliminated from playoff contention, they will look to win their final game of the season Oct. 26.
The Matadors hosted the UC Irvine Anteaters for the 2023 seniors game. A total of six seniors were honored after the game: Sami Alarcon, Erin Anderson, Izabel Reyes, Brooke Mobeck, Ashley Cruz and Kacey Garrity. Head coach Christine Johnson has been with the team since 2021, and all six seniors were there on her first day.
“Part of my pregame talk was telling them they mean the world to me,” Johnson said. “We met during a very vulnerable time for the program. The fact that they dug in and committed to the program has made me forever grateful. They’re going to be missed.”
The match was scoreless at halftime. CSUN’s four first-half substitutions were unable to sway the momentum. In the first half, the Anteaters controlled the time of possession 54/46.
During halftime, select players were allowed to honor a professor of their choice, an honor they coined MVPs: Most Valuable Professors. Each of them stood next to their respective instructor at midfield.
Goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin was ejected from the match 3 1/2 minutes into the second half, after her and Irvine forward Alyssa Moore tripped. Mauldin headed straight to the sideline to speak with coach Johnson. Following the ejection, Kennedy Williams filled in as goalie for the rest of the match.
“I didn’t think about the situation much,” Williams said. “I knew this was the seniors’ day, so I wanted to play for them. We’re not in a position to make the postseason, so we’re just playing with our hearts at this point.”
Kaylee Gutierrez went down with a non-contact injury in Matador territory with 22 minutes remaining in the game. As a precaution, the trainers had her carted off the pitch. Cassidy Imperial-Pham went in for the injured Gutierrez, who did not return to play.
Each of the six seniors were presented with a bouquet and a frame with their jersey at midfield. Garrity embraced the postgame ceremony for the team’s graduating seniors.
“I’ve been waiting for this for five years,” Garrity said. “It felt really nice to have my family here, and all of my teammates supporting me. On Thursday, I’m gonna be really sad. It’s been fun, but I’m excited for the next chapter of my life.”
Garrity was one of five players to play all 90 minutes of the game.
Women’s soccer will close out their season on Thursday, Oct. 26 against UC Riverside.
