#23 CSUN Defeats Cal State Fullerton 10-6 in Big West Opener

Friday, February 20

Fullerton, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

10-3, 1-0

Cal State Fullerton

11-6, 0-1

CSUN

Cal State Fullerton

Photo by: Steve Fitzgerald

#23 CSUN Defeats Cal State Fullerton 10-6 in Big West Opener

2/20/2026 9:17:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif.---No. 23 CSUN Water Polo had four with multi-goal efforts as the Matadors opened Big West play with a 10-6 victory over Cal State Fullerton on Friday evening at Titan Aquatics Center. Freshman Marjorie Krueger had two goals and two assists while Sofia Martinez, Kianna Melvin and Mira Dravucz each hit the net twice. In front of the goal, Erika Staine posted 14 saves.

With the win, head coach Matt Warshaw tied Molly Barnes for the most career victories in Matador water polo history at 127.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Matadors capitalized on a pair of early exclusions from the Titans to post their first two goals. Martinez opened up the scoring at the 5:30 mark while Sophia Cooper added another a minute later. The Titans would respond with back-to-back goals of their own, also via power plays, but Martinez gave CSUN the lead with 1:09 to play in the first quarter at 3-2. The second quarter was a defensive struggle with only one tally recorded. CSUN's Dravucz recorded that lone goal at the 3:52 mark while Staine had five saves in the period to help CSUN to a 4-2 lead at halftime.

The third period began with Fullerton drawing closer at 4-3 on a five-meter penalty, scored by Destiny Hernandez. The Matadors though kept the Titans scoreless for the remainder of the third quarter despite a pair of power plays. Krueger found the back of the net with 1:43 to play before CSUN picked up consecutive goals from Dravucz and Krueger over the final 39 seconds to extend to a 7-3 lead. CSUN would put the game out of reach in the final period with Melvin netting two straight goals to start. The Titans clawed back to within 9-6 late in the period, but CSUN held on down the stretch, powered by a late goal from Staine from long distance.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN improved to 10-3 overall while Cal State Fullerton dropped to 11-6.
Melvin and Martinez each recorded three steals.
Cooper added two assists to go with her goal.
Staine posted her first goal of the season.
The Matadors have opened Big West play 1-0 for the first time since 2015.

ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
"Big West games bring a different intensity and this one introduced our freshmen to that right away. We made some great adjustments and it showed when we broke the game open in the second half. Our depth was on full display tonight in a hostile road environment."

UP NEXT
CSUN continues Big West play next Saturday, Feb. 28 with a road match at UC San Diego beginning at 12 p.m.

#GoMatadors