CSUN Opens 2026 Season with Two Victories

Friday, January 30

Thousand Oaks, Calif.

9:00 a.m.

California State University at Northridge

1-0

Cal Lutheran

0-2

CSUN

Cal Lutheran

Photo by: Steve Fitzgerald

CSUN Opens 2026 Season with Two Victories

1/30/2026 11:51:00 AM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.---No. 25 CSUN Water Polo kicked off the 2026 season with two victories on Friday at Cal Lutheran's Samuelson Aquatics Center. The Matadors defeated host Cal Lutheran in the morning match by a 13-5 score and picked up a 20-12 win over Fresno Pacific in the late contest. Freshman Mira Dravucz scored eight goals on 10 attempts to lead the offense while sophomore Sofia Martinez scored seven total goals on the day. CSUN goalkeepers combined for 14 saves between the two contests.

CSUN-CAL LUTHERAN RECAP
The Matadors and Regals battled in a tight first half with only three shots hitting the back of the net. Aleaha Gonzalez put Cal Lutheran on top to start before Mackenzie Wood notched CSUN's first goal of 2026 at the 3:31 mark of the first quarter. CSUN would take a 2-1 lead through eight minutes, picking up a late tally from Marjorie Krueger. Despite a pair of exclusions called on the Matadors, CSUN's defense held firm and kept the Regals scoreless in the second period while Kianna Melvin hit the lone goal of the quarter to make it a 3-1 game at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Matadors took control with their best offensive quarter. Sophia Cooper opened up the scoring with a goal on a power play and she added another at the 5:55 mark to put CSUN ahead 5-2. An Alexis Smith goal followed while the Matadors went on a 4-0 run to end the period with Dravuz netting two goals and Martinez and Melvin scoring one apiece to stretch the lead to 10-3. Cal Lutheran scored two of the first three goals of the fourth quarter but it was not nearly enough to close the gap. Cooper completed the hat trick in the fourth quarter while the combination of Martinez and Melvin put the game out of reach in the 13-5 win.

CSUN-FRESNO PACIFIC RECAP
In the afternoon match, CSUN jumped on Fresno Pacific and never looked back in a wire-to-wire victory. CSUN freshmen accounted for all five goals in the first quarter with Ella Furuholmen scoring twice and Krueger adding another for a quick 3-0 lead. Dravucz wrapped up the first period with two goals for a 5-1 CSUN lead. Fresno Pacific opened the second quarter with a quick tally, but the Matadors countered with a 6-0 run, featuring goals from Krueger and Jade Cuevas and a pair of goals each from Smith and Martinez.

CSUN took an 11-4 lead into halftime and quickly stretched its lead to nine following goals from Cooper and Dravucz. CSUN's freshman, Dravucz, scored her fourth goal of the day with 4:20 left in the third period while fellow freshman Claire Summers got into the scoring act moments later. The Sunbirds would rally for three straight goals to pull to within 15-9 through three quarters. In the final stanza though, CSUN regained control as Martinez hit three consecutive Matador goals to open the period. Dravucz completed her big day with fifth and sixth goals of the match to punctuate the 20-12 victory.

NOTES OF THE GAMES

CSUN shot 44.0 percent over the two matches, highlighted by 50.0 percent shooting (20-of-40) against Fresno Pacific.
Goalkeeper Erika Staine registered five saves to go with two assists in game one versus Cal Lutheran.
Marin Byars and Kiana Kellner split time at goalkeeper against Fresno Pacific, combining for nine saves.
Cooper totaled four goals on the day while Krueger had three in both their first career matches.
Wood had a team-high four steals on the day.

ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
On the Cal Lutheran Game
"Opening days are always special. With eight freshmen making their debuts, there were some nerves that we expect to subside as the season goes on. Great second half and we were able to break open the game score wise."

On the Fresno Pacific Game
"Much better start being able to jump out to a substantial early lead. We controlled the pace of the game and held our own against a scrappy Fresno Pacific squad. A quick turnaround as we have two more road games tomorrow."

UP NEXT
CSUN returns to action on Saturday for two matches at California Baptist University. The Matadors face #23 CBU to start the day at 10 a.m. before meeting Biola at 1 p.m.

#GoMatadors