Northridge Gets Off Cheap With 1-0 Victory

NORTHRIDGE —  All Cal State Northridge Coach Terry Davila wanted was for his team to play hard and it almost didn’t happen.

In reality, if Northridge midfielder Luis Castro didn’t take a cheap shot from forward Ryan Tohill of the Master’s College, it might have never happened.

Fortunately for the Matadors, it did.

Tohill’s shot gave Northridge life Wednesday night in a 1-0 overtime victory in a men’s soccer game at North Campus Stadium.

Federico Arroyo scored in the 101st minute when he hit a beautiful chip over the head of goalkeeper Eric Pattison.

“Earlier I had hit the crossbar twice,” Arroyo said. “I was going to hit it hard but I knew I had to chip it. I got him off his line.

“I was glad to get the game over. We got a well-deserved victory.”

The Matadors (5-4), who are undefeated at home this season against three NAIA schools, stretched their winning streak to three games.

The Mustangs (5-8) have lost five of seven games.

“I feel we worked very hard and we covered the whole field,” Davila said. “As the game wore on we kept the same pace and they slowed down. We were trying not to let down.

“I’m happy with our effort but not with the quality. I love the effort but we need to work on the quality. You can’t win games unless you play hard.”

Castro, while dribbling down the right side of the field, was hit on the head by Tohill’s shoulder, sending him to the ground and igniting a silent Matador offense.

The Matadors had a chance to score in the 61st minute, but shots by Greg Avila and Federico Arroyo hit the post.

Arroyo almost got the Matadors on the board in the 68th minute, but his half-volley hit the post.

Before Castro was hit from behind, the Matadors performance was a replica of a 2-1 victory over Azusa Pacific on Sept. 28, a game which they were outplayed by an inferior NAIA team.

Communication was bad, crosses sailed out-of-bounds and to the keeper, defenders dove in, instead of containing, midfielders turned the ball over and topping it all, the Matadors were lethargic.

“There were times we didn’t connect as many passes as we like to, but I think after halftime we started to hold onto the ball more and we kept possession,” defender Mark Fitzpatrick said.

“That possession let the team rest and it got us more scoring opportunities. I wish we could have put more in.”

The Mustangs had two chances to score in the first half. Anthon Brueggeman’s shot just missed the left post in the 15th minute and his header was caught by keeper Christian Perez in the 23rd.

Danny Ortega, starting midfielder for Northridge, missed his second consecutive game because of an injured hamstring.