NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -

CSUN forward Sagi Lev-Ari scored a pair of goals, his sixth and seventh of the season, as the Matadors (4-3-1) topped the Bakersfield Roadrunners (5-2-1) by a score of 2-1 in double overtime on Thursday night at Matador Soccer Field. Lev-Ari, a senior and All-American, found the back of the net 38 seconds into the match and again in the 105th minute to seal the CSUN victory.

"We knew it was going to be a grind and we needed to find our offensive rhythm," said CSUN head coach Terry Davila. "We relied on our team defense, which is outstanding, and we are always prepared to have to play 110 minutes if we have to. Adam Hobbs was tremendous in goal once again for us tonight."

The Matadors, fresh off of back-to-back double-overtime matches, wasted no time in striking for the first goal on the night. As the Roadrunners advanced up the field Carlos Gonzalez created a turnover at midfield and sent a through ball ahead to Lev-Ari, who used his left foot to beat goalkeeper Nicolas Clever.

It was the third time in his career that Lev-Ari has scored a goal in the first minute of a match. He also accomplished the feat once in each of the last two seasons, both times against Cal Poly.

Bakersfield had a chance to even the match in the 36th minute, but CSUN goalkeeper Hobbs did well to save a loose ball in front of net. After Simon Doherty's attempt was blocked by a defender in the box, Christian Duarte had his tap-in kept out by a sprawling Hobbs.

The Matadors had a similar sequence go against them offensively in the 43rd minute when Trevor Morley's shot was blocked and Martin Arrieta's try was saved by Clever.

The Roadrunners were able to find their equalizer just seven minutes after halftime when Edan Mendoza linked up with Doherty in nearly identical play to Lev-Ari's goal at the start of the match. Mendoza ran up the right side and found Doherty in space near the penalty spot, who then tucked his shot home neatly for his fifth goal of the year.

Hobbs was the more tested of the goalkeepers in the second half, making three of his five saves in the period. CSUN's best chance to break the tie came in the 74th minute when Arrieta was denied by Clever once again.

As the teams headed into overtime, CSUN lead 13-10 in shots and 4-2 in saves. Morley nearly won the match for the Matadors with a header in the 92nd minute that was tipped over the bar, however.

The highlight of the night defensively for CSUN came from Hobbs, who made a match-saving diving catch in the first overtime period. With under two minutes to play before the end of the first overtime, Hobbs extended to his right in the air to catch Julian Zamora's shot that was otherwise destined to go into the goal.

"When I saw the ball going to the right side I made sure I had one solid step to get as good a push as I can for it," said Hobbs. "The ball also deflected off of Trevor's head on the way toward goal but I was able to readjust and make the save."

The spark of momentum led the Matadors into the second overtime, where they found the golden goal in the 105th minute. A cross from the right side of the penalty area was headed back across the face of goal by CSUN and looked to be a sure winner before Bakersfield defender Jamie Carey-Morrell handled it and was immediately shown the red card by the referree.

Lev-Ari then stepped to the penalty spot and converted for his fourth game-winning goal of the season and seventh overall.

"With Rosh Hashanah starting, the Jewish New Year, I am happy to start my year like this," said Lev-Ari. "I hope to continue to help our team win matches."

For his career, Lev-Ari is now fourth all-time in CSUN history with 38 goals. With the win, Hobbs is now tied with Mark Macdonald for eighth all-time with 18 in his career.

The Matadors will look to continue their success this Sunday, September 28, when CSUN heads to No. 1 UCLA for a 5 p.m. match at Drake Stadium. CSUN will look to avenge last year's loss to UCLA at home and the contest between the Matadors and Bruins will air on the Pac-12 Network.

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