CSUN Comes Back from Goal Deficit to Defeat UC San Diego, 3-2

Wednesday, October 21

Northridge, Calif

7:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

7-6-2, 1-2-1

UC San Diego

7-6-2, 1-1-2

Team	1	2	Final F
UC San Diego	1	1	2
CSUN	1	2	3

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

10/21/2026 11:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN men's soccer team (7-6-2, 1-2-1 Big West) came back from being down a goal to win 3-2 on Senior Night against the UC San Diego Tritons, Wednesday night at Matador Soccer Field. Kayvon Monfared earned his second brace of the season and Jorge Solorzano provided the deciding penalty kick goal to lead the Matadors to victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first 28 minutes were a defensive battle in the soaked field from all of the rain before the game started, as no team was able to get an advantage. Adam Dunbar of the Tritons had the best chance early on as he took a shot in the 15th minute from the box that was saved on the low center by goalkeeper Bryan Castaneda.

The Matadors struck first in the 29th minute when Monfared finished a chance created by Francisco Garibay and Miles Johnson. CSUN took advantage of a turnover in the midfield, with Garibay helping advance the ball before Johnson and Monfared combined to put the Matadors ahead 1-0.

The lead though only held for 11 minutes. UCSD answered back when Tyler Cash scored off an assist from Cael McElderry to send the teams into halftime tied 1-1. McElderry had a touch pass to Cash who finished on the top of the box.

In the second half, UCSD put the pressure on almost immediately. After a missed shot in the 48th minute, Masayuki Fujita scored off a pass from Sean McTague in the left side of the box just nine minutes later to make it a 2-1 game.

Despite the deficit, CSUN kept fighting. Not even three minutes later, Solorzano found Monfared with a pass over the top, and Monfared finished in a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper to even the score at 2-2.

In the 66th minute, CSUN received a golden opportunity. Solorzano was fouled while trying to attempt a shot inside the box. Solorzano then stepped up to take the PK, and he didn't miss his chance to take the lead. The senior who was honored prior to the game during the senior night festivities buried his attempt past the diving UCSD goalkeeper to put the Matadors on top, 3-2.

UCSD threatened, especially in the final 20 minutes where the Tritons attempted four shots. However, the CSUN defense was staunch, and Castaneda led the way with three saves on the night. UCSD just couldn't find one past the Matadors as CSUN held on to win.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN remains undefeated against the Pac-12 this season as its now 3-0.
Monfared earns his second career brace, and second of the season. His first one was against The Master's University on Aug. 27th.
Solorzano scored his second PK this year and his third goal overall this season.
UCSD had 10 shots to CSUN's nine.
There were 30 fouls between both teams.
Dominik Wicks and Castaneda played the full 90 minutes.

ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH TERRY DAVILA
"Everybody got an opportunity to play tonight. It was a nice Senior Night to go out on. I like that we're resilient and that we came back. We played better in the second half. We scored three goals, and it's always nice to score three goals. UC San Diego is an outstanding team, and this sets up a nice way to close out the regular season. Tonight, our players executed and our game model came together."

UP NEXT
CSUN will play the last home game of the season, this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. against Sacramento State. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Ghizal Hasan and Gio Galvez on the call.