Fullerton Exploits Matador Defense
Solid defense brought Cal State Northridge to new heights in women’s soccer this season, but that defense folded in the Matadors 4-1 loss to Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday night.
After holding opponents scoreless for 440 consecutive minutes, the Matadors (3-2-1) yielded a season-high four goals including two in a two-minute span, enabling the Titans to win their second consecutive game.
“They were starting to think winning was easy,” Coach Allison Lee said. “I think we took the last four games for granted.
“We caved in. Our heart wasn’t in it. Our head wasn’t in it. In my honest opinion, we didn’t even show up.”
The Matador defense was beaten to every ball, left forwards unmarked and went into tackles half speed the entire match.
“I don’t think we won one ball in the air tonight,” Lee said. “We weren’t aggressive.”
The loss snapped a school record three-game winning streak for the Matadors.
Northridge hadn’t allowed a goal in its previous four games.
The Titans (4-3) earned their first victory against a Division I team with a winning record this season.
“I think they thought it was going to be easier,” Lee said. “We were scared. I wish you could have seen them. There was fear in their eyes at halftime.
“We were way lax. I can’t get in their heads and tell you what they were thinking but I think they thought since [Fullerton] hadn’t beaten any tough teams it was going to be easy.”
The Titans took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. Defender Leah Sims of Fullerton headed a cross from Kim Gallo past goalkeeper Jenny Willemse of Northridge.
The Titans struck again two minutes later when Stacy Jarne knocked in a deflection off the post.
The Matadors cut the lead to 2-1 when Erin Broadwell scored in the 26th minute. Broadwell’s goal came on a rebound of Melissa Cleal’s free kick that struck the crossbar.
The Titans’ scoring rampage continued in the 40th minute. Kassie Yurak sent a cross to Sims, whose header hit the post and bounced to Kim Houg, who headed the ball past Willemse.
Gallo scored the final goal for the Titans in the 71st minute on a pass from Kris Quiroz.
Debbie Smith of Northridge scored on a blast from 25 yards in the 89th minute.
