Big West Action Gets Red-Hot Against the Matadors
October 17, 2011 | Women's Soccer
THIS WEEK'S ACTION
#20 UC IRVINE ANTEATERS at
CS NORTHRIDGE MATADORS
Sunday, Oct. 23 - 7:00 p.m.
Northridge, Calif. - Matador Soccer Field
The No. 20 UC Irvine Anteaters (11-3-2, 4-1-1) have hit their stride with a four-match win streak in the Big West. They now have a week to prepare for the red-hot Matadors of Cal State Northridge.
DEVINE INTERVENTION: Right in the middle of the Anteaters' run has been the play of their defense. The soccer world is aware of the ability of senior CoCo Goodson (Ramona / University of Texas), but the importance of her defensive counterpart, Sarah Devine (San Diego / Poway HS), has been just as big a factor in their current success.
Devine finally got on the scoreboard with her first assist on the year in Friday's match at Cal State Fullerton. She has a total of seven points in her 'Eater career, but her play has greatly been outside the box score.
She and Goodson have plugged up the middle of the field all year long against many high-powered programs. They shut down No. 11 Texas A&M on their turf and did the same at No. 2 Stanford for the first 70 minutes of the match. Their play has carried over into conference action resulting in a four-match win streak in which they have allowed just one goal.
Her imposing figure and physical defensive play has turned UCI into one of the top programs on the west coast.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE: UC Irvine Athletics in conjunction with the UCI Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) office and Verizon Wireless is raising awareness about Dating and Domestic Violence at events from October 17-30.
Student-athletes, coaches and fans will wear purple in support of DVAM, while CARE peer educators will be educating attendees about the cause. Wear purple to show
your support and bring old cell phones to donate to the Verizon Wireless Hopeline Cell Phone Drive. Any fan that donates a phone at the Oct. 30th match against UC Riverside will receive complimentary admission.
DOWN ON THE CORNER: In an interesting turn of events, a seemingly rare soccer occurrence has now happened twice in as many weeks. Oct. 8th, the men's soccer team did something they had only done once since 2000: complete a match without taking a corner kick.
The women have seen this happen before, but to their opponents. UC Irvine opponents have been held without a corner kick eight times dating back to 2008. This includes their NCAA Tournament matches against Wake Forest and Arizona State. Last night's stat was the first for UCI since 2007. It wasn't as rare from 2004-2007 where the 'Eaters had seven matches without a corner kick.
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE MATADORS: The Matadors have been very impressive in conference play coming off a rough non-conference run. An opening-season loss to No. 9 UCLA along with road tilts at Baylor and Texas got CSUN off to a slow start.
Like UCI, CSUN matched up against Portland, but fell in overtime to them, 1-0. The Matadors were reeling at 2-6-1 entering Big West play, but have stepped their game up immensely.
High-profile wins over UC Davis and Long Beach State have them near the top of the conference setting up a prime battle against UCI.
Heidi Farran has supplied the points leading CSUN with 14 including six goals and two game-winners. Melissa Fernandez has proved very vital contributing three goals, two game-winners, and three assists.
HOW WE MATCHUP: CSUN holds the all-time advantage at 4-7-3. UCI won last year at home in overtime, 1-0. The Matadors are 3-4 at home this season and have won their last two.
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For UC Irvine Athletics ticket information, please call (949) 824-5000 or e-mail athletics-tickets@uci.edu. For more information click here.
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