Matadors Win 1-0 Road Thriller Against Oral Roberts

TULSA, Okla. — CSUN Men’s Soccer earned its first win of the new season with a 1-0 victory against Oral Roberts Sunday night at Case Soccer Complex. A late goal by Zack Harris with just 12 minutes left to play propelled the Matadors to their first win of the new season.
 
FIRST HALF
CSUN controlled most of the possession in the early going of this game. Despite only attempting one shot, the Matadors had good footwork, as they looked for any opening in the teeth of the defense. The Golden Eagles did a good job when necessary to stop the CSUN threat before any attack made it into the box. 
 
A gritty game on both sides, as there were 15 total fouls in the game’s first 45 minutes. CSUN committed nine of those fouls, looking to gain any advantage in the defensive contest. The lone shot on goal in the half came off the foot of Leonardo Almeida Seixas from ORU, but he was stopped by a nice save from Dorian Drucks. 
 
The Matadors had some opportunities to pull ahead, attempting three corner kicks in the half, however none of them led to shots on goal.
 
SECOND HALF
Out of the gates, there were multiple scrums for the ball in the box as CSUN threatened to score in the beginning of the half, however good close outs by the Golden Eagles kept things scoreless.
 
Two yellow cards in a matter of minutes by both teams meant the dial had been turned up aggression wise. Hagan Cupido earned the first yellow card of his collegiate career in the scrums.
 
In the 54th minute, Arturo Reveles attempted a shot just outside the top of the box that sailed high, as the Matadors were gaining steam. Following the miss, CSUN attempted its fifth corner kick. CSUN just couldn’t get the free space needed to put one in the net.
 
In the 62nd minute, a freekick led to a shot by Seixas, but was saved by Drucks in the lower left side of the net.
 
In the 64th minute, CSUN had its first shot on goal. A see-through pass into the feet of Enrique Pineda that was saved by the goalkeeper in a diving stop. Less than two minutes later, Pineda attempted another shot on goal, stopped again by Jakub Grzesiak of ORU. Back-to-back attempts from the senior forward stopped from going in the back of the net.
 
Rhys Shirley of ORU attempted a shot off a corner kick deflection but was blocked by the CSUN defense with just a little over 21 minutes left to play. Jeff Mesidor then had a shot blocked as well. Enzo Gindro missed left on a third shot just two minutes later but failed to score. Both teams had their chances but couldn’t capitalize. 
 
With 12 and a half minutes left to play. Zack Harris attempted a long shot outside of the box that was saved by the goalkeeper. It was the third shot on goal for the Matadors.
 
With nine minutes left to play, it seemed like CSUN was playing for their second consecutive tie. Harris, on the other hand, had other plans. The junior from Agoura Hills sent a ball into the back of the net off a free-kick just left of the box, giving the Matadors their first goal of the new year.
 
The rest of the game was full of fireworks. With just 22 seconds left to play. The Golden Eagles appeared to tie the game on a header after a cross that went past Drucks. Initially ruled offside, the referees came together and then ruled a goal. Shortly after however, the referees reviewed things for a second juncture. This time, maintaining their original call and ruling the play offsides. CSUN held on for the last 20 seconds, securing a win.
 
NOTES OF THE GAME

• Harris notched his third career goal and first since 2023. Harris also had two shots on goal.
• Pineda had two shots on goal as well, both on back-to-back offensive looks.
• Drucks saved three shots on goal in the win.
• This is the first time since Sep. 24-28 of 2022 that CSUN has had back-to-back shutouts.
• CSUN wins its first career matchup against ORU.
• Siddiq Lezzar, Luke Lawrence and Drucks all played the full 90 minutes.
• Arturo Reveles and Francisco Garibay accounted for the other two CSUN shots. 

ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH TERRY DAVILA
“Tonight, we played much better tactically and showed real improvement in our overall team shape. Offensively, we moved the ball well as a group, and our chemistry continues to grow. We still need to be sharper in the final third, but the progress is clear. Back-to-back shutouts is a great achievement for the team, and credit to Dorian Drucks for outstanding goalkeeping once again. Total team effort on both sides of the ball, including our work on set pieces—highlighted by a great goal from Zack Harris. Proud of the performance tonight.”
 
UP NEXT
CSUN will have one final exhibition before continuing the regular season on September 4 against Seattle U. Biola will come to Matador Soccer Field on August 30 at 7:00 p.m.