#25 CSUN Finishes 2-2 at Bronco Invite, Defeats #22 Pacific on Day Two

Saturday, February 14

Santa Clara, Calif.

8:30 a.m.

California State University at Northridge

#18 San José State

CSUN

San Jose State

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

#25 CSUN Finishes 2-2 at Bronco Invite, Defeats #22 Pacific on Day Two

2/14/2026 7:55:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SANTA CLARA, Calif.---No. 25 CSUN Water Polo split two matches on the Saturday at the Bronco Invitational, finishing 2-2 on the weekend. The Matadors dropped the morning match to No. 18 San Jose State 14-8 but bounced back to defeat No. 22 Pacific 11-10.

Freshman Mira Dravucz totaled six goals to lead the offense while freshman Ashley Strickland added four goals on the day. Goalkeeper Erika Staine recorded 13 saves between the two matches.

CSUN-SAN JOSE STATE RECAP
CSUN would dig an early 2-0 hole before finally getting into the scoring column on a goal from Lucie Lapuz to pull to within 2-1 with 2:32 on the first quarter clock. In the second period, the Spartans took a 3-1 lead, but CSUN came roaring back on goals from Ella Furuholmen and Strickland to draw even at 3-3. The final four minutes though belonged to the Spartans who picked up three straight goals from Bridget Cranley to take a 6-3 lead into the break.

Dravucz brought CSUN a bit closer, scoring on a five-meter penalty early in the third period, but San Jose State went on a 3-0 run to stake to a 9-4 lead. Strickland scored the Matadors' only other goal of the third period while San Jose State closed with back-to-back tallies to build a six-goal lead through 24 minutes. In the fourth, the Matadors kept battling, pulling to within 12-7, courtesy of Strickland and Dravucz. A comeback though was not in the cards as the Spartans' Catie Kelly and Isabella Adams each dented the twine to put the game out of reach.

CSUN-PACIFIC RECAP
The Matadors and Tigers each came out swinging in the early going. Pacific led 2-1 in the first two-plus minutes before Dravucz hit the back of the net to tie the match up. Lapuz gave CSUN its first lead at the 6:12 mark of the first quarter before Pacific evened the game up moments later. The back-and-forth game continued with Sophia Cooper briefly giving CSUN a lead, only to have Pacific's Ella Cowan nod the game at 4-4 through one quarter. Two straight power plays gave Pacific a chance to take a 6-4 lead through the midway point of the second, but the Matadors fought back with back-to-back strikes from Sofia Martinez and Jade Cuevas for a 6-6 tie at intermission.

CSUN's momentum translated into a quick start to the third period where Kianna Melvin hit the net on a power play and Dravucz scored on a five-meter penalty for an 8-6 advantage. Pacific would tie the game once more with a 2-0 run, but the freshmen tandem of Dravucz and Strickland soon pushed CSUN back in front. Millie Jacobson found the net late in the third period as CSUN took a 10-9 lead to the fourth period. The final stanza saw a defensive struggle as only two goals were recorded. Despite six exclusions between the teams, none resulted in goals. Melvin hit a timely goal at the 5:01 mark before Sophie Pethers answered for the Tigers. The Matadors though held Pacific without a goal over the final four minutes, withstanding two power plays to pick up the win.

NOTES OF THE GAMES

After the two results, CSUN stands at 9-3 on the season.
Strickland finished with a hat trick against San Jose State while Dravucz had two goals with an assist.
Staine recorded six saves against the Spartans while adding seven more versus the Tigers.
Dravucz capped off her weekend with four more goals against Pacific, bringing her weekend total to 11 goals.
Melvin added two goals in the win over the Tigers.

ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
On the San Jose State game
"This young team continues to improve, but also struggles with consistency in big moments. I liked the way we executed the game plan by holding their leading scorer to minimal goals. But there were lapses on the defensive end that costed us the game in the third quarter."

On the Pacific game
"We needed a signature win this season and we got one today beating a talented 22nd-ranked Pacific team. These physical games will pay off when we get into conference play. Getting some big contributions from a deep roster really pushed us over the edge today. Proud of this victory."

UP NEXT
The Matadors open Big West play on Friday, Feb. 20, taking on Cal State Fullerton on the road at 7 p.m.

#GoMatadors