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Sophia Zertuche vs. Northwest Nazarene
0
Northwest Nazarene NNU (0-0-0, 0-0-0)
1
Winner Cal St. Monterey Bay CMB (0-0-0, 0-0-0)
Northwest Nazarene NNU
(0-0-0, 0-0-0)
0
Final
1
Cal St. Monterey Bay CMB
(0-0-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Northwest Nazarene NNU 0 0 0
Cal St. Monterey Bay CMB 0 1 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | By Kevin Gilmore (@OtterKevin)

Zertuche’s Second–Half Strike Leads Otters Over NNU

CSUMB takes the season–opening victory, 1–0


SEASIDE, Calif. — A nervous first half that saw Cal State Monterey Bay on its heels gave way to a solid second half, where Sophia Zertuche's (Madera South/Fresno CC) 62nd–minute strike led the Otters to a 1–0 win over Northwest Nazarene Thursday night at the Otter Sports Complex.

It was the season opener for both teams. The victory no doubt will look all the more impressive later in the season as NNU showed itself a team that will make noise in 2019. But the Otters withstood sustained early pressure before finding their sea legs after the interval.

As CSUMB began to carve out more possession, scoring opportunities followed. A flurry on Alexis Montoya's doorstep just before the hour mark saw Jasmine Safarians (Pleasant Hills/College Park HS) hit the crossbar before Montoya smothered the rebound in traffic.

Regaining possession, the CSUMB strike force ventured right back to the middle of the box where Sierra Levy (Tulare Western HS) tapped a loose ball to Zertuche, whose composed finish left Montoya no chance. 
 

THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… Sophia Zertuche made a 40–yard run into the NNU corner with just under two minutes remaining. That allowed to Otters to run out the clock safely in the Nighthawk defensive third.

FOR OPENERS… Thursday's win was the 10th season–opening win in CSUMB women's soccer history. The Otters are now 10–9–1 all time in season openers and 2–1–0 in such games under third–year head Coach Laura VanWart.

ZERTUCHE BREAKS THE SEAL… Thursday night's goal was the first NCAA goal for Sophia Zertuche, who tallied one assist in 2018, her first season as an Otter

KEEP IT CLEAN… Alyssa Noh made a strong comeback from her redshirt season in 2018 by recording her eighth career shutout. That ties Stephanie Busch for No. 2 on the CSUMB career list. Melissa Moen set the CSUMB record with 11 shutouts from 2002–05.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… GOALS: Sophia Zertuche 1; ASSISTS: Sierra Levy 1; POINTS: Sophia Zertuche 2; SHOTS: Sophia Zertuche 2; SAVES: Alyssa Noh 5.

THE LAST WORD… "It was a great result tonight against a strong NNU team. We weren't able to open up and play in the first half. NNU did a good job of pinning us back. But we were able to find more of the ball in the second half and create more opportunities on goal. It was a mature and gritty performance tonight. It was a night we didn't quite find our rhythm, but we were able to battle and find a goal." – CSUMB Head Coach Laura VanWart

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters will host a Hawaii–Hilo team coming off a school–record 10–win season Saturday afternoon at the Otter Sports Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.




 
GO OTTERS!




 
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