A visiting Cal Poly squad lost its second Big West Conference match Thursday, Oct. 10 against CSU Northridge (CSUN) by a final score of 2-0.
The Mustangs (3-9-1, 0-2-0 Big West) were down a goal against the Matadors (8-4-3, 2-1-0) just three minutes into the match. Matadors midfielder Gabriella Hinojosa took advantage of a free ball that was punched away by senior goalkeeper Sophia Brown. Hinojosa directed the ball from 8 yards out into the lower-left corner of the goal to put CSUN up 1-0.
CSUN doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Matador midfielder Cindy Arteaga scored from the middle of the box off an assist from defender Cora Willcot.
The Mustangs had a total of 12 shots throughout the match. Five of the 12 shots were taken between the first and second CSUN goals.
Sophomore defender Emily Talmi had an opportunity to score in the 5th minute, but the effort was thwarted by Matador goalkeeper Amanda Delgado with one of her three saves. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Sidra Bugsch had a shot blocked by the Matadors defense 14 seconds after Talmi’s shot.
Sophomore midfielder Monserrat Hernandez Marquez provided the Mustangs another chance in the 67th minute, but was unable to position her shot on goal past Delgado. The Matadors’ goalkeeper recorded another save to maintain CSUN’s lead at 2-0.
Freshman midfielder Camille Lafaix almost cut the Mustangs’ deficit in half in the 87th minute. Lafaix’s shot — the second from her in a four minute span — was saved by Delgado to ensure a Matadors victory.
The Mustangs totaled just two fouls compared to the Matadors’ 14 during Thursday’s match. Cal Poly also outshot CSUN 12-8, but the Matadors’ four shots on goal exceeded the Mustangs’ three shots on goal.
Cal Poly will continue their four-game road trip against UC Davis on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.