After an impressive 2-0 homestand, the Matadors hit the road one last time for a pair of Big West Conference games. Tonight they head to Irvine to take on the Anteaters. Then, they visit Long Beach Sunday to battle with the conference-leading 49ers. Irvine enters the game following a 1-0 win over the last-place UC Riverside Highlanders. Long Beach State is undefeated in Big West play this season and has dropped a game only once in its past six outings. The Matadors, on the other hand, have lost six straight road games and look to pick up a win away from home for the first time since Sept.14. They’ll have to win on the road if they want to stay in contention for the Big West tournament.
Last Game: 2-1 win vs. Pacific
Goals leader: Nancy Avesyan and Farryn Townley (4)
Assists leader: Kristal Phillips (5)
Matador to watch:
Freshman Nancy Avesyan, forward
The Big West Player of the Week led the Matadors to wins last weekend with her two game-winning goals. Her four scores and 11 total points leads the squad for the season. Northridge will look to her to continue her strong offensive output against two of the top three stingiest defenses in the Big West.
Matadors @ UC Irvine Anteaters Thursday at 7 p.m.
Series Record: Matadors lead 6-3-2
Last Meeting: Matadors 0, Anteaters 0 (2007)
Anteater to watch:
Junior Kate Berrini, midfielder
Berrini will be key for UC Irvine. She is responsible for a fourth of the team’s entire offensive output this season. Her four goals and 10 total points is the team-high on a squad that ranks last in the Big West in goals scored. If she doesn’t play well offensively, then chances are the entire team will suffer because of it.
Matadors @ Long Beach State 49ers Sunday at noon.
Series Record: 49ers lead 5-4-1
Last Meeting: 49ers 3, Matadors 1 (2007)
49er to watch:
Senior Liz Ramos, goalkeeper
Ramos is the last line of the top defense in the conference. Her seven shutouts, .855 saving percentage and 0.58 goals-against average are all tops in the Big West. She is also Long Beach State’s all-time leader in shutouts and saving percentage. If she plays up to her regular standards, the Matadors will have a tough time putting the ball in the net.
What did she say?
Senior Tryna Tafoya, midfielder on the final road trip of the year:
‘We want two wins. We’re going to be up against a very tough opponent in Long Beach State, they’re the defending conference champions. We’re going to be more focused and more on top of our game.’
