The Matadors (2-3-1) gave Cal State Bakersfield (2-0-2) a run for their money on Thursday night as they rallied from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw.
With the result, CSUN’s 22-game winning streak over CSUB came to an end. The Matadors now hold a 22-0-1 all-time advantage over the Roadrunners.
Despite the comeback, CSUN head coach Terry Davila was not all that pleased with his team.
“I was disappointed with our flat start,” he said. “We have to settle into our rotations and (the players) have to step up.”
Matador forward Yarden Azulay had two attempts, in the 83rd and 86th minutes respectively. His first shot was saved by Roadrunner goalkeeper Shannon while the other went just wide of the net.
Roadrunner forward Gyasi Zardes, who scored both of the Roadrunners’ goals, had two very close opportunities to win it in the first overtime period. CSUN’s defense, however, was there to make the stops.
Swarming in with two or more defenders, the Matadors were able to contain Zardes from getting the hat-trick.
The Roadrunners’ star forward put his team on the board first in the 26th minute with a power-shot from 25 yards out from the left side of CSUN goalkeeper Michael Abalos’s net. He had two defenders on him, but as soon as he had space, he put his head down and took the shot, which made its way to the right side of Abalos.
Zardes wasn’t done. He came back four minutes later on the left side again and scored with a touch kick into the goal. He was set up by midfielder Kory Kindle.
The Matadors were able to answer back just before halftime. In the 44th minute, midfielder Carlos Benavides pushed the ball upfield and found Thomas Ramos. The two midfielders then shared a few touches before Ramos finally netted the goal from about eight yards away to cut CSUN’s deficit in half.
Throughout the entire match, Davila made numerous substitution. He had five in the first half alone.
CSUN brought its halftime momentum into the second half and tied the game in the 60th minute. A Chris-Smith corner kick found Ramos int the box, and the midfielder got it to forward Brian Behrad, who was five yards away from the CSUB goal and knocked it in.
In the final 20 minutes of regulation, the Roadrunners were close to breaking the tie. CSUB attempted four shots, two of those came from Zardes.
Coming off a nine-foul game against New Mexico, the Matadors managed to collect 20 fouls and a yellow card – given to Azulay -against the Roadrunners.
SMU will be CSUN’s next opponent. They’ll come to Matador Soccer Field on Sept. 23.
