The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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Men’s Soccer: No. 24 Matadors fail to open season with a win

The+Matadors+opened+their+season+with+two+losses+to+non-conference+opponents+from+the+state+of+Colorado.+File+photo%2FThe+Sundial
The Matadors opened their season with two losses to non-conference opponents from the state of Colorado. File photo/The Sundial
The Matadors opened their season with two losses to non-conference opponents from the state of Colorado. File photo/The Sundial
The Matadors opened their season with two losses to non-conference opponents from the state of Colorado. File photo/The Sundial

Ranked No.24 in the nation, the Matadors (0-2) traveled to Colorado for non-conference play but  suffered two consecutive losses is separate road-games this weekend.

The team fell to 2-1 to the Denver Pioneers (1-0) , in Friday’s season opener at Denver, before stumbling on another 2-1 loss to the Air Force Falcons (1-0-1) in Colorado Springs,  two days later.

Last season’s All-American forward Sagi Lev-Ari scored once in each game to get the team on the scoreboard, but it was not enough for the Matadors.

The season-opener at CIBER Field in Denver started rough as the Pioneers scored after only 10 minutes, according to Gomatadors.

Denver scored again a little after the hour mark, only to have their lead cut in half thanks to a penalty-kick scored by Lev-Ari with less than 10 minutes of regulation left.

A foul in the penalty box gave Lev-Ari the chance to continue his scoring run from last season and improved his all-time scoring record to 32 goals. The goal moved him up to the Matador’s top 10 all-time scorer.

The Pioneer senior forward Kyle Emerson earned a second yellow card shortly after to reduce Denver to 10 men for the rest of the game, but it did not help the Matadors as they lost 2-1.

The Matadors picked up another loss to the Air Force Falcons, Sunday afternoon.

Lev-Ari scored the opening goal thanks to a Juan Samayoa assist, but the Falcons fired right back after a minute to tie the game.

Air Force scored immediately after halftime to take the lead and held on to defeat the Matadors.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kevin Marquez, who made his debut against Denver, made four saves to keep the Matadors in the game.

Meanwhile, junior midfielder Trevor Morley and senior forward Edwin Rivas both gave the Matadors chances in front of goal.

The Matadors will continue their non-conference schedule for another two games in Tulsa, Okla.

They will face UAB on Friday, and the Golden Hurricanes on Sunday for the Holiday Inn Hurricane Classic.

 

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