Saints Drop Season Opener in Heartbreaker

August 25, 2017

Emmanuel Usen, Jr. scored the game-winning golden goal on a penalty kick in the 95th minute of the first overtime to lift defending Big West Champion and preseason favorite Cal State Northridge over Siena Soccer 2-1 in the season opener for both teams in Southern California. Freshman midfielder Alejandro Riquelme scored for the Saints which were making just the program’s second-ever trip west of the Mississippi, and first appearance in the Golden State.  

 

CSUN out-shot Siena by an 11-1 margin over the second half and overtime. The Matadors tied the match in the 49th minute off a Jordan Kinoshi strike, and were awarded the decisive penalty kick following a hand ball in the box early into the first overtime period, as Siena fell just short against a quality squad which has played in three of the past five NCAA Tournaments.

 

Riquelme put Siena in front following a beautiful strike for his first collegiate goal in the 24th minute. The Spaniard attempted a free kick from about 20 yards out from just outside the top left of the box which he curved into the upper right corner.

 

Senior goalkeeper Aleksa Radosavljevic made seven saves for the Saints in a physical affair which featured 32 combined fouls and six yellow cards.

 

Henrik Regitnig stopped three shots for CSUN which out-shot the Saints 16-5 overall for the match.

 

Siena concludes its season opening SoCal swing with another stiff test against the other defending Big West Regular Season Champion and preseason favorite out of the North Division in UC Santa Barbara. The Saints battle the Guachos – who have made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances over the past 16 seasons and won the 2006 National Championship – Sunday at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local time) at famed Harder Stadium, which is set to host the 2018 and 2010 College Cups.

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