Lapse Costs Northridge in Overtime, 1-0

A defensive lapse and an inability to take advantage of good scoring opportunities proved costly for the Cal State Northridge women’s soccer team Friday night.

Amber Bailey, left wide open, scored to give Weber State a 1-0 overtime victory over the Matadors at Northridge. The victory clinched a berth in the Big Sky Conference tournament for the Wildcats (6-10, 5-1).

“The only reason they were even in our half was because of the wind,” Coach Allison Lee of Cal State Northridge said.

“We played good soccer tonight, we just didn’t finish. This team is in an offensive slump. The bottom line is we are just not finishing.”

The Matadors (9-7-1, 3-3) need either a win or a tie Sunday, when they host Idaho State, to qualify for the four-team conference tournament, held at either Montana or Weber State beginning Thursday.

The Matadors are in fourth place in the conference with eight points, one point ahead of Idaho State for the final spot in the tournament. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

“I’m not going to change a whole lot from tonight,” Lee said. “We are enjoying ourselves on the field. We are confident. We are just not finishing.”

After losing nine of their first 10 games, the Wildcats have won five of their last six, including four in a row.

Bailey scored in the 98th minute. She was standing alone, 10 yards from the wall the Matadors set up to defend Melanie Miller’s direct kick.

“It was a smart play,” said Lee. “I was more concerned with setting up the wall. We were trying to cover the shot. I thought for sure they were going to shoot.”

The Wildcats nearly won the game with just over a minute remaining in regulation, but Northridge goalkeeper Jenny Willemse made a leaping save on a 30-yard shot by midfielder Summer Hall. Hall’s shot didn’t have much power, but the wind nearly caught Willemse by surprise.

On the ensuing corner kick, Wildcat forward Celeste Collins almost scored, but her shot, from just outside the 6-yard penalty box, was blocked by a Northridge defender.

With the wind behind their backs, the Matadors dominated the first half, outshooting the Wildcats, 11-4.

“We have been shooting great in practice and we were shooting really well before the game, but we don’t shoot well when it counts,” Lee said.