Huskies Suffer First Loss, Fall 3-1 at CSUN

Thursday, September 12

Northridge, CA

7:00 PM

University of Washington

4-1-0

CSUN

4-0-1

Washington

CSUN

September 12, 2019 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- Washington's red-hot defense went up against CSUN's red-hot offense on Thursday night in Southern California, but it was the offense that won the battle as the Matadors handed the Huskies their first loss of the season, 3-1 at Matador Soccer Field.

Washington falls to 4-1-0 on the season while CSUN improves to 4-0-1 overall.

The Matadors, who came into the contest having scored 15 goals through its first four matches—the second-best total in the country, added three to the total. The Huskies struggled to connect in the final third though they held an edge in possession throughout.

"Credit to a really tough and disciplined CSUN team," said Head Coach Jamie Clark. "They wanted this game really bad and earned it. Lots of fantastic lessons for us to take away from this match. I thought we were a little naïve at times and good teams find way to make you pay."

Lucas Meek was the goal scorer for the Huskies, finding the back of the net in the 80th minute. He would finish a scramble in front of a long throw in by Christian Soto. The goal gave Meek his second collegiate goal and moved him into a tie for the team lead in goals scored on the season.

Lucas Meek gets one back with his second collegiate goal! He moves into a tie for the team lead in goals this season with this tally!#GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/oWtzCHcQYx
— Washington Men's Soccer (@UW_MSoccer) September 13, 2019

CSUN struck first with a goal in the 12th minute, as Julio Rubio took the ball away from the Huskies at midfield, passed it ahead to Johnny Rodriguez who beat a defender and blasted a shot into the far-right corner from about 10 yards out.

The Matadors struck again in the 24th minute, as a long throw in was knocked down and sent to the middle of the field where Rodriguez headed it in for his second goal and a two-goal lead for CSUN.

Washington had a pair of chances the rest of the half but were unable to convert. The best of those chances came in the 32nd minute as Imanol Rosales was fouled just outside the box giving the Huskies a free kick from about 19 yards out just to the left side of the box. But Ethan Bartlow's shot off the free kick sailed high and wide of the target.

CSUN netted a third goal 12 minutes into the second on its first real chance after Washington dominated play to open the period.

Washington returns to action on Sunday, taking part in the WAC/101 Club Cup against archrival and crosstown foe Seattle U. The match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. at Championship Field on the Seattle U campus and will be broadcast on ROOT Sports in the Seattle area.