The Matadors have finished up the non-conference portion of their schedule and will begin Big West Conference action this weekend with two road games. On Friday they will travel up the coast to Santa Barbara to battle the Gauchos, and Sunday, they will visit San Luis Obispo to take on the Cal Poly Mustangs. After starting the season 4-0, the Matadors have won just one of their last seven contests and are currently on a five-game winless streak. Senior Tinamarie Lutizetti is out of action indefinitely after breaking her arm during Friday’s loss to Loyola Marymount.

Gaucho to watch:

Freshman Ali Cutler, goalkeeper

After taking over in goal because of injury, Cutler has been exceptional. Her .840 save percentage leads the conference. She has only allowed four goals while making 21 saves. She has a 4-2 record in net.

Mustang to watch:

Sophomore Morgan Miller, midfielder

Miller is the current Big West Player of the Week after scoring four goals in the past two games to lead the Mustangs to two Big West victories. She has also tallied one assist and one game-winning goal this year.

What did she say?

Leah Elliot, CSUN goalkeeper

On entering Big West Conference play:

‘I think we’ll do really well. We’ve played really well all year and we now have the confidence to attack the conference. We are ready to take on any challenge.’