#23 CSUN Falls at #15 UC San Diego in Big West Action

Saturday, February 28

La Jolla, Calif.

12:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

10-4, 1-1Big West

#15 UC San Diego

7-6, 2-1Big West

CSUN

UC San Diego

Photo by: Bella A Enriquez

#23 CSUN Falls at #15 UC San Diego in Big West Action

2/28/2026 7:33:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

LA JOLLA, Calif.---No. 23 CSUN Water Polo kept pace with the No. 15 UC San Diego throughout the first half, but the Tritons pulled away in the second half en route to a 20-8 victory on Saturday at Canyonview Aquatic Center. Freshman Mira Dravucz led CSUN with two goals and one assist while fellow freshman Ashley Strickland contributed two assists and one goal. Erika Staine totaled five saves in front of the cage.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Matadors got off to a quick start, scoring 27 seconds into the match, courtesy of Kianna Melvin. UCSD would even the game 13 seconds later, but the Matadors went ahead on a five-meter penalty from Dravucz. CSUN briefly took a 3-1 lead on a tally from Marjorie Krueger, but a late power play allowed the Tritons to pull to within 3-2 through one quarter. The second period began in similar fashion to the first quarter with CSUN striking early, this time on a goal from Sophia Cooper while UCSD answered with a goal from Cascade Stensland. CSUN took a 5-3 lead when Sofia Martinez hit the net with 6:49 left in the first half. From there, the Tritons would go on a 3-0 run soon after to take a 6-5 lead before CSUN squared the game on a 6-on-5 chance when Jade Cuevas dented the twine. The final minute though proved to turn the tide of the contest as the Tritons scored three goals in the final 60 seconds, all on even strength possessions to take a 9-6 lead to the break.

The Tritons kept up their scoring ways to start the third period as Stensland and Kenya Cassidy each scored to push the lead to 11-6. Dravucz earned another five-meter penalty and hit the net to stop the 5-0 run, but UCSD scored the next three goals. A late Strickland goal ended the third quarter, however, the Matadors looked up at a 14-8 deficit. In the final quarter, the Tritons put the game away with a big quarter, outscoring the Matadors 6-0. Stensland hit the net two more times in the final quarter, bringing her final total to seven on the day.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN slips to 10-4 overall and 1-1 in Big West play while UC San Diego improves to 7-6 overall and 2-1 in conference.
Dravucz has now scored a team-high 41 goals to go with 54 points.
Cooper finished with two steals while Strickland had two field blocks.
UCSD led in steals 13-6.

ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
"I thought we played a decent first half, but there are two halves in a game. Disappointing showing for us as we've been tough on the road thus far this season. We'll learn from this and bounce back next week."

UP NEXT
CSUN returns to Matador Pool next Thursday, March 5 to host its second mini invite of the season. The Matadors will take on Villanova at 4:30 p.m. before meeting McKendree at 6:30 p.m. Live stats will be available for both contests.

#GoMatadors