California State University Northridge Athletics
Wednesday, November 4
Fullerton, Calif.
6:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
at
(3) Cal State Fullerton
Photo by: Chuck Marvel
11/3/2026 3:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---The sixth-seeded CSUN Women's Soccer team begins its Big West Championship journey with a first-round match at third-seeded Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday at Titan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.Â
FOR STARTERS
Third-year head coach Gina Brewer has helped lead the Matadors back to the postseason for the second straight season in 2026. CSUN previously had not advanced to the Big West tournament in back-to-back seasons since 2016-17. The Matadors look to advance past the first round to set up a semifinal matchup with second-seeded UC San Diego in La Jolla on Saturday.Â
MATADORS TAKE FIFTH IN THE BIG WEST
CSUN finished the regular season with a 6-8-6 overall record and a 4-4-3 Big West mark to finish tied for fifth place with Cal Poly in the conference standings. The Matadors' Big West season would be highlighted by a three-game winning streak, which saw CSUN score a combined 12 goals. Overall, CSUN went six straight matches without a loss from Sept. 26 to Oct. 17, but the Matadors dropped three of their final four matches to close the conference season.Â
SCORING OUTBURSTS
With two goals scored against Utah Valley in the regular season finale on Oct. 31, CSUN posted its 10th multi-goal performance of the season. The Matadors finished the regular season with 32 goals scored, the most for the program in a season since 2015 and tied for the third-most overall in program history. After the team scored just once over its first four matches to start 2026, the Matadors recorded at least a goal in 12 of their final 16 contests. In Big West games, CSUN registered 21 of its 32 goals against league foes to rank third-best in the conference.Â
PETERSON AND AKINS NAB BIG WEST HONORS
Sophomore Lia Peterson earned her first career All-Big West honor, taking home Honorable Mention accolades on Nov. 3 while freshman Jana Akins was named to the All-Rookie Team. Peterson was the Matadors' top goal scorer in the regular season with six to rank tied for seventh place in the Big West while she also totaled three assists and 15 points for CSUN. The Matadors' Peterson also posted three game-winning goals for the year, good enough for third-best in the conference. Akins, a true freshman, scored in three consecutive Big West games for CSUN, two of which were second-half equalizers in eventual Matador wins. The rookie played in all 20 matches for the Matadors, totaling nine shots with five on goal.Â
MAULDIN'S COMEBACK STORY
Senior goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin has been CSUN's biggest comeback story this season. Coming off a two-year hiatus from competition, Mauldin has returned to the field in 2026 and reclaimed her starting role at goalkeeper. Prior to missing all of 2024 and 2025 with an injury, Mauldin had been the team's starting 'keeper in her first two seasons with the team from 2022-23. Her 116 saves this season are the second-most in school history while she has totaled three clean sheets. By starting all 20 matches during the regular season, Mauldin has moved up to fifth in school history with 49 matches in goal. Her 265 career saves are also the fourth-most in the program's history.Â
BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
The Matadors are making their 11th appearance at the Big West tournament this season. In last year's tournament appearance, the Matadors played UC Santa Barbara to a 1-1 tie in the semifinal round before the Gauchos advanced to the championship final via a penalty kick shootout. CSUN's last win at the tournament was a 1-0 overtime win over UC Santa Barbara in 2019 semifinals. The Matadors are playing the Titans for the fifth time in the history of the tournament, as the Fullerton holds a 2-1-1 record in those past meetings. The Titans defeated the Matadors 4-0 in the 2019 championship finals in the teams' last meeting at the tournament. CSUN's lone victory over Fullerton came in the championship final in 2012.Â
SCOUTING CAL STATE FULLERTON
The third-seeded Titans enter the postseason with a 10-3-6 overall record and 7-1-3 conference mark. Fullerton finished tied with UC San Diego for second place in the league, but the Tritons earned the No. 2 seed on a tiebreaker. In addition to reaching 10 wins, the Titans have been especially impressive at home, going 7-1-2 at Titan Stadium this season with their only loss coming to UC San Diego on Oct. 24. The Titans were second in the Big West in goals scored with 41 against 27 against. One of four All-Big West First Team honorees for Fullerton, Cassie Villanueva had seven goals, 10 assists and 24 points during the regular season while Camryn Cruz, another first-teamer, was a close second at six goals, four assists and 16 points. Skye Johnson (three goals) and Kaylin Raibon (eight assists, 10 points) were also among the first-team selections for Fullerton. Goalkeeper Allison Craycroft has recorded 80 saves with a 1.45 goals-against-average.Â
Series History: The Titans own a 19-8-6 edge in the all-time series. CSUN and Cal State Fullerton played to a 3-3 tie on Sept. 26 at Matador Soccer Field. The Matadors rallied from a late 3-2 deficit, picking up an equalizer from Jana Akins. Counting the decision earlier this season, the teams have played to draws in each of the past four meetings. CSUN is seeking its first win over Fullerton since 2018 and its first win at Titan Stadium since 2011.Â
#GoMatadors
Â
FOR STARTERS
Third-year head coach Gina Brewer has helped lead the Matadors back to the postseason for the second straight season in 2026. CSUN previously had not advanced to the Big West tournament in back-to-back seasons since 2016-17. The Matadors look to advance past the first round to set up a semifinal matchup with second-seeded UC San Diego in La Jolla on Saturday.Â
MATADORS TAKE FIFTH IN THE BIG WEST
CSUN finished the regular season with a 6-8-6 overall record and a 4-4-3 Big West mark to finish tied for fifth place with Cal Poly in the conference standings. The Matadors' Big West season would be highlighted by a three-game winning streak, which saw CSUN score a combined 12 goals. Overall, CSUN went six straight matches without a loss from Sept. 26 to Oct. 17, but the Matadors dropped three of their final four matches to close the conference season.Â
SCORING OUTBURSTS
With two goals scored against Utah Valley in the regular season finale on Oct. 31, CSUN posted its 10th multi-goal performance of the season. The Matadors finished the regular season with 32 goals scored, the most for the program in a season since 2015 and tied for the third-most overall in program history. After the team scored just once over its first four matches to start 2026, the Matadors recorded at least a goal in 12 of their final 16 contests. In Big West games, CSUN registered 21 of its 32 goals against league foes to rank third-best in the conference.Â
PETERSON AND AKINS NAB BIG WEST HONORS
Sophomore Lia Peterson earned her first career All-Big West honor, taking home Honorable Mention accolades on Nov. 3 while freshman Jana Akins was named to the All-Rookie Team. Peterson was the Matadors' top goal scorer in the regular season with six to rank tied for seventh place in the Big West while she also totaled three assists and 15 points for CSUN. The Matadors' Peterson also posted three game-winning goals for the year, good enough for third-best in the conference. Akins, a true freshman, scored in three consecutive Big West games for CSUN, two of which were second-half equalizers in eventual Matador wins. The rookie played in all 20 matches for the Matadors, totaling nine shots with five on goal.Â
MAULDIN'S COMEBACK STORY
Senior goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin has been CSUN's biggest comeback story this season. Coming off a two-year hiatus from competition, Mauldin has returned to the field in 2026 and reclaimed her starting role at goalkeeper. Prior to missing all of 2024 and 2025 with an injury, Mauldin had been the team's starting 'keeper in her first two seasons with the team from 2022-23. Her 116 saves this season are the second-most in school history while she has totaled three clean sheets. By starting all 20 matches during the regular season, Mauldin has moved up to fifth in school history with 49 matches in goal. Her 265 career saves are also the fourth-most in the program's history.Â
BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
The Matadors are making their 11th appearance at the Big West tournament this season. In last year's tournament appearance, the Matadors played UC Santa Barbara to a 1-1 tie in the semifinal round before the Gauchos advanced to the championship final via a penalty kick shootout. CSUN's last win at the tournament was a 1-0 overtime win over UC Santa Barbara in 2019 semifinals. The Matadors are playing the Titans for the fifth time in the history of the tournament, as the Fullerton holds a 2-1-1 record in those past meetings. The Titans defeated the Matadors 4-0 in the 2019 championship finals in the teams' last meeting at the tournament. CSUN's lone victory over Fullerton came in the championship final in 2012.Â
SCOUTING CAL STATE FULLERTON
The third-seeded Titans enter the postseason with a 10-3-6 overall record and 7-1-3 conference mark. Fullerton finished tied with UC San Diego for second place in the league, but the Tritons earned the No. 2 seed on a tiebreaker. In addition to reaching 10 wins, the Titans have been especially impressive at home, going 7-1-2 at Titan Stadium this season with their only loss coming to UC San Diego on Oct. 24. The Titans were second in the Big West in goals scored with 41 against 27 against. One of four All-Big West First Team honorees for Fullerton, Cassie Villanueva had seven goals, 10 assists and 24 points during the regular season while Camryn Cruz, another first-teamer, was a close second at six goals, four assists and 16 points. Skye Johnson (three goals) and Kaylin Raibon (eight assists, 10 points) were also among the first-team selections for Fullerton. Goalkeeper Allison Craycroft has recorded 80 saves with a 1.45 goals-against-average.Â
Series History: The Titans own a 19-8-6 edge in the all-time series. CSUN and Cal State Fullerton played to a 3-3 tie on Sept. 26 at Matador Soccer Field. The Matadors rallied from a late 3-2 deficit, picking up an equalizer from Jana Akins. Counting the decision earlier this season, the teams have played to draws in each of the past four meetings. CSUN is seeking its first win over Fullerton since 2018 and its first win at Titan Stadium since 2011.Â
#GoMatadors
Â
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, September 16
Thursday, September 03
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, February 13