For the first time in program history, Cal State Northridge won a postseason match on Thursday night in the women’s soccer semifinals at the Big West Tournament, hosted by UC Irvine.
The single-goal victory over No. 3 seed Cal Poly marks the first postseason advance for the Matadors in their four previous attempts. The winning goal came in the 26 minute by Melissa Fernandez, her team-leading seventh goal of the season. Senior goalkeeper Cynthia Jacob collected her 26th career shutout with four saves, continuing to climb in the Big West career record book.
The Matadors will face number one seeded Cal State Fullerton in the championship match at Anteater Stadium on Sunday, November 4th at 1 p.m. The two teams met earlier this season taking it into extra minutes, but short lived as Titan’s JeAnne Mazeau got the golden goal, just 58 seconds into the first overtime period.
In the semifinals Thursday night, the Titans faced No. 4 UC Irvine. Both teams got ahead scoring in the first half but remained tied 1-1 after two extra periods to send it to penalty kicks.
After watching from the sidelines for the first 110 minutes, Fullerton junior Katie Pulliam occupied the goal to defend for the Titans. An outstanding defensive performance would not go unnoticed as Pulliam blocked all three Anteater penalty kicks to advance 3-0 over the Irvine in the shootout to the go on to the tournament final.
Fullerton goes ahead in the all-time program record for the semifinals to 4-3-0. They enter the Championship match for the first time since their appearance in 2007 when they finished scoreless against Cal Poly but took the title with a 4-3 advantage in the shootout. In their three final appearances in the Big West they have earned the automatic berth to the NCAA tournament each time.
The Big West women’s soccer championship match will be broadcasted live on Sunday, November 4 at 1 p.m. PT by FOX Sports Prime Ticket.