CSUN's Win Streak Snapped Against #9 UC Irvine

Thursday, March 26

Northridge, Calif.

3:30 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

17-6, 2-2Big West

#9 UC Irvine

12-12, 3-3Big West

UC Irvine

CSUN

Photo by: Connor Clark

CSUN's Win Streak Snapped Against #9 UC Irvine

3/26/2026 5:42:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---The 25th-ranked CSUN Water Polo team fell by a score of 16-9 to No. 9 UC Irvine on Thursday at Matador Pool. Freshmen Mira Dravucz and Sophia Cooper had two goals and one assist apiece in defeat. The loss snapped a season-high seven game win streak for the Matadors.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Matadors would dig an early deficit in the first quarter and play catch up for the remainder of the afternoon. The Anteaters came out firing, scoring five unanswered goals to start with three goals coming on power plays. Sofia Martinez put the Matadors on the scoreboard with 1:15 left in the first quarter as CSUN looked up at a 5-1 deficit. The Matadors battled back to within 5-2 early in the second period, courtesy of an Ella Furuholmen tally. CSUN kept UCI off the scoreboard for nearly seven minutes of action before the Anteaters broke that string with back-to-back tallies from Madi O'Hara and Michelle Urkov. The Matadors though remained within striking distance, pulling to within 7-3 with a late first-half strike from Dakota Bumbaca.

In the third period, the Matadors withstood a power play and a five-meter penalty to start to eventually pull to within 7-4 on a Dravucz goal. However, the Matadors would not get any closer the rest of the way. The Anteaters countered with a 3-0 run, capped by a Sydney Hagan goal to extend to a 10-4 lead. Cooper and Marjorie Krueger gave CSUN two goals over the remaining minutes of the third period, but UC Irvine took a 13-6 lead to the fourth quarter. The Anteaters scored two of the first three goals of the final period, extended to a 15-7 lead with 5:47 to go. CSUN closed to within 15-9 on back-to-back tallies from Cooper and Dravucz late in the fourth period, but it would not be enough to close the gap.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN drops to 17-6 overall and 2-2 in Big West play while UC Irvine improves to 12-12 overall and 3-3 in conference.
UC Irvine outscored CSUN 5-1 in the first quarter and 6-3 in third quarter while the Matadors kept even in the second period (2-2) and the fourth period (3-3).
The Matadors were whistled for 17 exclusions compared to just eight for the Anteaters.
Erika Staine saw action in front of the cage for CSUN, racking up four saves for the day.
For UCI, Vivian Bailey and Hagan had three goals apiece.

ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
"The gauntlet of the Big West has begun. We were able to compete just not at the level of a talented Irvine squad. Proud of our fight and attempt at holding them down though. Another big match upcoming on Saturday."

UP NEXT
CSUN will close its home schedule on Saturday with a Senior Day matchup with No. 8 Long Beach State at noon. The Matadors will honor their senior class of Kianna Melvin, Alexis Smith and Leah Huisar prior to the match.

#GoMatadors