Without senior Kristal Phillips, who is tied for the team lead in total points, the Matadors knew they had to continue to get balance offensively.

Unfortunately for Northridge, they couldn’t muster up much offense at all.

The Matadors’ offense struggled to even get attempts at the net, and in turn lost 2-1 to the Arizona State Sun Devils Friday night in Tempe, Az.

CSUN had a season-low three shots, half of their previous low of six in a loss to California last Friday. Phillips served a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in the Matadors’ last contest.

The scoring started in the 25th minute when Sun Devil senior Carla Scanniello got a shot past Leah Elliot into the corner of the net. Junior Carly Kallas was credited with the assist on the score.

The Matadors finished the first half without a point for the third time this season. They had just one shot at the break, one that traveled wide of the net off the foot of sophomore Michelle Moore. On the other side, the Sun Devils only had three shots in the first half, one being the goal, while the other two were saved by Elliot.

As the second half started, sophomore Farryn Townley tried to get CSUN on the board, but her shot traveled wide of the net.

In the 58th minute, the Matadors were awarded their first penalty kick of the season. Sophomore Katie Fox converted the attempt and the score was tied at one.

As the second half progressed, CSUN was unable to get off any more shots. Fortunately for them, Elliot made two saves to keep the score tied at one into the later part of the half.

However, in the 78th minute, Sun Devil sophomore Karin Volpe scored her fifth goal of the season to put Arizona State up for good, 2-1. It was just the second time this season that the Matadors failed to score more than one goal, and also the second time they allowed more than a single goal.

CSUN was fighting an uphill-battle offensively before the game even started. Not only were they without one of their top offensive forces in Phillips, but they were also going against a goalkeeper who was named the NSCAA National Player of the Week. Junior Briana Silvestri had allowed just one goal in her first four games of the year in net, while posting three shutouts and making 12 saves. She missed the team’s first three games due to injury.

Players and coaches were not available for comment.

With the loss, the Matadors stayed at 99 wins in program history through Sunday, when they had another shot in a game against the Arizona Wildcats. The result and story of that game is available online at www.sundial.csun.edu.