Meeting for the first time, Michigan(4-1) looked overmatched from the start, and became the first Big-10 school CSUN has ever beaten.
The match was hotly contested throughout, with CSUN(3-1-1) showcasing its offensive pressure throughout the first half, with Michigan able to withstand the onslaught to end the first half 0-0. Though during the second half, Michigan was able to finally put some pressure on CSUN’s vaunted defense, and turned the match into a physical one, that almost resulted in fights.
Both teams committed three fouls in the first half, but the second half saw the teams combine for 18, including the games only yellow card against Michigan.
Freshmen forward Lyndsey Preston attributed it to the intensity that the team has shown.
“We don’t want to lose at home, it shows on the team and when we are on the field.”
CSUN was able to force pressure on Michigan’s defense and their goalie, Haley Kopmeyer, throughout the first half, but were never able to put the ball in the net. A jumping save by Kopmeyer on a header kept the game scoreless.
Preston was part of the attack on Kopmeyer that was unable to convert the pressure into a goal.
“We needed to find opportunities, and we came out in the second half more aggressive after taking a break during halftime,” Preston said.
Michigan was unable to put a shot on goal throughout the first half until the 44th minute, showcasing CSUN’s lockdown defense.
“In the first half we were in good control of the game,” said head coach Keith West.
After multiple missed attempts in the first half, CSUN was able to break through in the second. Redshirt freshman midfielder Cori Deason took a left cross from senior defender Stephanie Norton, and was able to thread the ball into the lower right side of the goal past a diving Kopmeyer.
It was Deason’s first goal of her career at CSUN.
“I still am shaking it just feels amazing, and I’m just glad I could make my team proud,” Deason said. “I was following Coach West’s advice to stay wide and just tried to get the cross kick, and I was able to get it thru two defenders and score.”
Michigan woke up in the second half, and got senior goalie Cynthia Jacobo involved in the game, making some incredible saves to preserve the shutout. In the 68th minute, Jacobo made a sliding save on a one-on-one opportunity, the closest Michigan would get to scoring all night.
“I saw she went straight through the line, and knew I had to make a play on her,” said Jacobo. “We were able to hold strong, we all wanted the win and shutout.”
Jacobo finished the game with three saves, earning her third shutout of the season, and 19th of her career, 7.5 short of the record. Earning her 25th win puts her five short of CSUN’s all-time wins record.
Senior forward Marisa Miller went down with an injury on a play in the 78th minute, and had to be helped off the field by the training staff. The extent of her injury was unknown after the game.
Off to their best start in recent memory, West attributes this team’s success to the experience and talent that they have.
“We have good players and when you have good players you have a chance to win every game,” said West.
“Working hard in practice and outside of practice as much as we can along with the chemistry has really helped us get these wins,” said Jacobo.
