The Seattle University men's soccer team suffered a 3-0 setback at the hands of Cal State Northridge Sunday afternoon in Northridge, Calif. A strong offensive game by the Matadors would prove to be too much for the Redhawks in their final non-conference competition of 2011.

The Redhawk offense opened up play on the attack, sending in six consecutive shots, including three off the foot of junior transfer Mikey Ramos (Spokane Valley, Wash.). Despite their early control, they were unable to strike first.

As play progressed, possession transferred between both sides and Seattle U continued to struggle to land attempts on target.

With the first half coming to a close, Cal State Northridge managed to make the most of their final offensive opportunity. At 44:13, the Matadors' Thomas Ramos took a corner kick that went to Yarden Azulay. Azulay crossed the ball to Luis Gutierrez, who gave CSUN a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.

In the second half, SU junior transfer Marshall Reese (Portland, Ore.) made his Redhawk debut in goal. He was immediately tested by the Matadors, as Northridge sent in a pair of consecutive shots on frame that Reese was able to successfully save. He went on to tally three saves in 27 minutes of action, as starting keeper Jake Feener (Rocklin, Calif.) concluded the game in goal for SU.

CSUN (3-4-1) sealed their victory by adding to their lead twice in the second half. In the 58th minute, Chris Smith headed in a goal off a Carlose Benavides cross and at the 80-minute mark, Ramos sent in the Matordors' final strike with a shot to the lower right corner of the goal.

In the match, CSUN outshot SU 21-14, holding a 10-1 on target advantage.

 

"The game was evened until halftime. Northridge scored right before the half, which was very disappointing to give up the goal, as I thought we were right in the game. They ended up scoring pretty early in the second half and the game unraveled from there. Northridge is a very good team and it is disappointing to finish the game like that, but we had a very good first half in terms of competing and being in the it, until the game got away from us. We have to move on and move forward," said head coach Brad Agoos.

 

Making his first start of the season was senior midfielder Tyler Hanson (Federal Way, Wash.), who played all 90 minutes in the match.

The Redhawks (1-4-2) will remain on the road in California, opening up MPSF play at Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday, Oct. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Bakersfield, Calif.