The CSUN women’s soccer team faced off against the UC San Diego Tritons (4-2-2 record) in their first conference matchup of the season. The Matadors (2-4-3 record) looked to get back into the win column after drawing their previous game against Southern Utah (2-2). As for the Tritons, their attempt to create a winning streak for themselves going forward was successful, unfortunately resulting in the Matadors finding themselves in a 1-0 loss to the Tritons.

In the first 15 minutes of the first half, both teams had brought an alternating balance of offensive pressure to the game. With a mix of attacks, elite passes and crosses, the first half came to an end with no team yet to score. However, as the second half approached quickly, the momentum started to shift in the Tritons favor.

Multiple moments throughout the match provided opportunities where both teams could have scored, including 1 notable attempt that featured the ball hitting off the top crossbar from Triton midfielder, Alexis Nguyen. Although the Tritons had added pressure to the Matadors backfield, the Matadors were able to hold them steady at 0 points in the first half due to their great clearances from their defenders.

CSUN Goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin (1) catches a ball that was on goal during the Big West Conference opener between the CSUN Matadors and the UC San Diego Tritons on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Northridge, Calif. UCSD beat CSUN 1-0. (Blake Fagan)

The Matadors had only 4 shots in the first half and in total a 38% ball possession rate. CSUN goalkeeper, Hayden Mauldin, had 3 saves. The Tritons had 8 total shots and a 62% ball possession rate, further displaying their control of the game. Triton goalkeeper, Charlotte Wilfert, had 2 saves in the first half.

In the second half, the Tritons continued their forward pressure consistently, leaving Matador defenders with little to no breathing room. In the final ten minutes of the game, the Tritons offensive pressure paid off. Triton forward Kennadi Borg received a cross from Nguyen to place a header into the net that would ultimately win the game, with a final score of 1-0.

CSUN Defender Siena Navarra (13) heads the ball during the Big West Conference opener between the CSUN Matadors and the UC San Diego Tritons on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Northridge, Calif. UCSD beat CSUN 1-0. (Blake Fagan)

The Tritons finished the game with sixteen total shots, with 5 of them being on target and 7 being corner kicks. They finished the game on top in overall ball possession with 62%. The Matadors finished the game with 38% ball possession and 7 total shots with 4 shots on target. Head coach for the Matadors, Gina Brewer, expressed that she was disappointed but looking forward to their next game.

“I mean at the end of the day, they outplayed us in multiple facets…so player for player, we needed more effort in the attacking side of the game and the defending side of the game… but we’ll look to recover and get back at it with a training session on Friday and have another opportunity on Saturday,” said Brewer.

The Matadors next game is Saturday, Sep. 26th at 7:00 P.M. against Cal State Fullerton at the Matador soccer field. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.