After a two-game losing streak, the Matadors looked to strike back in the win column against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. The momentum was high for both teams as the Matadors attempted to get a win on their senior night.
The Gauchos needed a win or a tie to secure the one seed in the Big West conference. In spite of this, the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
The tie puts the Matador season ending record at 6-6-6 overall, 1-5-3 conference and the Gauchos at 6-4-8 overall, 4-0-5 conference. They remain undefeated in the Big West conference, clinching the number one spot.
Throughout the game, both teams had consistency on the defensive side with many scoring opportunities that were not capitalized for the majority of the first half. The matadors played conservatively on the offensive side while the Gauchos attempted a high level pace, pushing the ball aggressively and trying to keep majority ball control.
This all changed when CSUN midfielder Finn Werner scored his first goal of the season with five minutes left in the first half, assisted by defender Siddiq Lezzar.
“I felt comfortable. I felt confident as well,” Werner said. “I took it and it worked out for the team, [an] amazing feeling right now.”
At the beginning of the second half, both teams were defensively strong, and it looked like it would remain that way. With under ten minutes into the second half, forward Zac Siebenlist scored for the Gauchos, turning the game upside down and leading to a 1-1 tie.
The game also consisted of many shot attempts, which were 28 in a combined total for both teams, as well as 10 combined saves from both goal keepers. Within shot attempts, the Gauchos were led by Siebenlist and midfielder Ramses Martinez who both had three shots. For the Matadors, forward Enrique Pineda led in shots with seven total.
As the season came to an end for the Matadors, head coach Terry Davila gave a recap.
“This season, we played hard,” said Davila. “We built a good foundation of hard work, and we have good defensive structures.”
Davila spoke on the team’s struggles throughout, saying there were missed opportunities. Despite their struggles, he has high hopes for the team next year.
“We had injuries that hurt us and a season of ‘what ifs,’” he said. “It didn’t work out this year, but I know this team is going to bounce back next year. We have a great coaching staff, great players. …One day, it’s going to work and we’re going to be on top.”
