NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Kansas State looked to carry the momentum from its first win of 2019 into its first match in Southern California on Friday evening at Matador Soccer Field. K-State and CSUN would play to a scoreless draw, as the Wildcats are now 1-2-2 on the season, while CSUN is 3-1-1.
In its five matches in the Pacific Time Zone in its history, Kansas State has registered three draws.
“CSUN is a good side,” said head coach Mike Dibbini about the match on Friday. “They were 3-1 coming into this match, so they had some confidence. We had some momentum coming into this match from our first win. The positives for us were that we got the shutout and we stayed in the grind of the game. We created some chances late in the game to put it away, but their keeper made some unbelievable stops there. Credit to them and credit to us for hanging in their and playing hard and coming away with a point.”
K-State senior goalkeeper Emma Malsy pocketed seven saves while earning third shutout in as many starts this season. In her K-State career, Malsy owns nine career shutouts and is one behind former Wildcat goalkeeper Miranda Larkin for the career shutout record of 10.
In the first half, the Wildcats outshot the Matadors, 9-7. K-State also had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Malsy pocketed three saves in the first 45 minutes.
Eight minutes into the second half, junior defender Avery Green kept CSUN off the scoreboard. The Matadors’ Cindy Arteaga beat the K-State defense and took one touch past Malsy. Green flew back into the play and deflected Arteaga’s shot out of bounds with a sliding stop.
“Always in my head, I am going until the play is over,” said Green about the hustle play. “I’m sprinting back every time just in case something like that happens. I was happy I was there.”
Dibbini was pleased by the overall play of his backline on Friday evening, as they battled 100 degree weather as well as the Matadors.
“We had a matchup issue, so we had to rotate players because of the heat and because of the matchups. The backline stayed organized and focused. They made plays for us to keep us in the game.
CSUN outshot K-State in the second stanza, 6-5. Caylee Thornhill and Aly Rocha each threatened the net for K-State with shots from distance, but both were inches above the crossbar.
K-State appeared to win the match with two minutes remaining in the first overtime. Christina Baxter crossed a ball in front of the CSUN net. Brookelynn Entz was able to solidly get her head on the ball near the left post, but Matadors’ goalkeeper Amanda Delgado got to the pipe and stopped the game-winning attempt.
In the second overtime, Maddie Souder crossed a ball into the CSUN 18-yard box. The ball was redirected by Ashley Zane but again Delgado made a diving spot to keep the match scoreless. Delgado finished with six saves on the night.
K-State outshot CSUN in the two overtimes, 4-3, with three of K-State’s four shots on goal.
“Overall, we want to come out and win every game, so it is a little disappointing but we are taking something good from this game and it is the shutout,” said Green about her team’s result. “It is something we have been working towards as a defense. I feel like it was a team shutout. It wasn’t just the backline. We worked together as a team and at least we can take that away from this game.”
K-State carded an 18-16 edge in total shots, while CSUN notched a 7-6 lead in shots on goal and in corner kicks.
Kansas State will conclude its two-match trip through Southern California on Sunday evening. The Wildcats will face Cal State Fullerton at 6 p.m. (CT) at Titan Stadium. Sunday’s match will be streamed on Big West.TV. The match can also be heard on 101.5 KROCK in Manhattan and for free at kstatesports.com.
– kstatesports.com –