Madeleine Sanchez Climbing the CSUN Charts

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

Standing out has never seem to a difficult task for CSUN Water Polo's junior Madeleine Sanchez. From helping guide a Matador team to a Top 10 ranking as a freshman to producing a 70-goal season in 2016, Sanchez's CSUN career has been filled with many highlights.

This season, it has been more of the same. Collecting 49 goals through 20 games this season, Sanchez has already entered the Matadors' all-time Top 10 scoring list.

"To be a part of the history books here at CSUN is one of my top moments as a water polo player," said Sanchez. "I'm extremely grateful and honored to have my name on there with so many great players from the program."

Sitting in eighth place on the list with 150 career goals, Sanchez is 27 goals away from reaching the program's top five and 73 goals away from breaking a school scoring record that has stood for nearly a decade.

"As Maddie climbs the all-time goals scored record board, it's a special thing to see her name among some of the greatest to have ever played here," said head coach Matt Warshaw. "It's never been a focus for her to set records."

Originally from Murrieta, CA, Sanchez began her collegiate career in 2015, joining a veteran Matador team that would go on to go 15-11 that season. Playing alongside the Matadors' second all-time goal scorer Marisa Young and CSUN greats Kelcie Ferreira and Kelcy Barott, Sanchez finished fourth on the team with 28 goals on 37.8 percent shooting. Sanchez also led the Matadors with 29 assists and finished second in steals with 33. CSUN finished ranked 10th in the nation and came a win shy of advancing to the Big West Conference Championship game.

While her freshman season was outstanding, her best was yet to come.

As a sophomore, Sanchez had a year to remember. Sanchez hit the net 73 times and finished tops in the Big West Conference in scoring. She also finished with the fourth-most goals ever scored in a season in team history.

The dynamic scorer struck the net in 29 of 32 matches on the season and scored two or more goals in 19 contests. With a variety of offensive displays throughout the season, Sanchez completed a performance for the ages with seven goals against Pomona-Pitzer to tie a CSUN record for the most goals in a game.

"The game was a great team performance," said Sanchez about the accomplishment. "I didn't even realize I tied the record until head coach Marty [Matthies] told me after the game."

Sanchez's goal total did not tell the whole story, however, as she also led the team in assists (44) and finished second in steals (59). With her ability to distribute as well as score, Sanchez was directly responsible for 43 percent of the Matadors' total goals on the year.

"Last season I had a breakout year, and I really fell in love with the system as well as the fun atmosphere to play in," said Sanchez. "Throughout the season I just played and the main goal was to get a win after every game. Our last game of the season was definitely my proudest moment. For our seniors, that was their last game of their careers, and I was proud to be able to get a win against UC Davis for them and in front of everyone's families."

Helping CSUN to a fifth-place finish against some of the best teams in the nation at the 2016 Big West Conference Tournament, Sanchez 8671

earned an All-Big West Second Team nod following the season.

"I feel very honored and proud to represent CSUN in a highly competitive water polo conference," said Sanchez. "None of my success would be possible if it wasn't for my team that I get the joy of playing with every day."

While following up such an amazing season could be a near impossible task, Sanchez is doing her best her to make 2017 just as impressive. Nearly at 50 goals for the season, Sanchez is on pace to score 70 goals again this season. She also possesses 83 steals for the year, which is the fourth-most recorded in a season in team history.

"Maddie is a dynamic offensive player, she has the ability to create on her own similar to a point guard in basketball, which makes her valuable within the system," said Warshaw. "Her defensive awareness is something that only comes from experience and she's been playing the game for a long time. When she's at her best she has a smile and is out there just having fun."

An accomplished water polo player with the Matadors, Sanchez was first introduced to the game of water polo when she was nine years old, when her parents took her to an Elite Water Polo Club practice.

"I immediately fell in love with the game and its fast pace," explained Sanchez.

Learning the game at a young age, Sanchez would go on to become a decorated water polo star at Murrieta Valley High School. Earning league honors each year, she led the team to a pair of CIF Division III titles.

"Playing at Murrieta Valley still holds a special place in my heart," she added. "The group of girls I played with had all been playing together since we were 12. I am still close with the team to this day. I was fortunate enough to have a great coach in Bryan Lynton, and being able to win two championships under him were highlights in my overall water polo career. I owe a lot of my current success to him."

Climbing the charts one rung at a time, Sanchez entered eighth place in the Matadors' scoring list on February 25, which had been occupied by another Murrieta Valley alum, Sydney Sonoda (2008-11).

"Sydney acted as a mentor for me since I was younger," said Sanchez. "I want to make her proud and have a successful CSUN career like she had."

With several games left to be played this season and a senior year still in the near future, there is no telling how high Sanchez can ascend up the all-time Matador ranks.

"I've worked with her as an assistant coach and now as a head coach and she's always put the team first, which makes it even more special when you see her individual stats over the years," added Warshaw. "I know it's something that means a lot to her to be mentioned in the same company as the all-time greats in CSUN history."

Madeleine Sanchez Climbing the CSUN Charts

Players Mentioned

Katelyn Fairchild

Shannon Hovanesian

Madeleine Sanchez

Amy Yule

California State University Northridge Athletics