#23 CSUN Finishes 4-0 at the Convergence Tournament

Saturday, March 7

Los Angeles, Calif.

9:45 a.m.

California State University at Northridge

14-5

Salem University

5-6

Salem University

CSUN

Photo by: Steve Fitzgerald

#23 CSUN Finishes 4-0 at the Convergence Tournament

3/7/2026 9:20:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LOS ANGELES, Calif.---The No. 23-ranked CSUN Water Polo team concluded the Claremont Convergence Tournament with two wins on Saturday at Occidental's De Mandel Aquatics Center.

Sophomore Sofia Martinez finished with a team-high six goals on the day while freshman Mira Dravucz added five. Goalkeeper Erika Staine played seven of eight quarter in front of the cage, totaling 15 saves.

CSUN-SALEM RECAP
The Matadors got off to a strong start with early goals from Ashley Strickland and Martinez, but Salem rallied with a 5-1 run, capitalizing on two five-meter penalties and another power play. CSUN picked up a five-meter of its own with Dravucz hitting the net, but Salem's Kristen Hemmila ended the quarter with a goal for a 6-4 lead. The Matadors would rally in the second quarter behind a strong defensive effort. Holding the Tigers scoreless in the second period, CSUN used goals from Marjorie Krueger and Martinez to even the game at 6-6 by halftime.

CSUN took the lead at the six-minute mark of the third period off a goal from Sophia Cooper while Ashley Strickland added another nearly two minutes later. The Matadors took an 8-7 lead into the fourth quarter but soon pulled away with a 4-0 run. Martinez delivered two goals during that stretch while Dravucz added to her scoring tally with a five-meter penalty. A pair of late goals from Salem would not be enough in the 12-9 Matador victory.

CSUN-UC MERCED RECAP
Abigel Kiss would open up the scoring with 4:36 on the first quarter clock. The Matadors' defense kicked off the game in strong fashion, holding the Bobcats to no goals through the first two quarters of action. Meanwhile, Dravucz and Jade Cuevas scored in a three-goal first quarter for CSUN. The lead grew further in the second period behind goals from Dravucz and Martinez for a 5-0 lead at intermission.

UC Merced finally got into the scoring column early in the third period, scoring two of the first three goals to pull to within 6-2. CSUN though closed the third period with a 3-0 run over the last five-plus minutes. Dravucz completed a hat trick near the six-minute mark of the fourth period while CSUN again held UC Merced scoreless for an entire period. Cooper and Krueger each hit the net late in the period for the 12-2 win.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN improves to 15-5 overall after the two wins.
Strickland and Martinez led the way offensively versus Salem, scoring four goals each. Lucie Lapuz added three assists and Cooper totaled three steals.
Staine finished with nine saves in the Salem victory.
Dravucz totaled a team-high three goals in the win over UC Merced while Krueger and Ella Furuholmen totaled two goals each.
In the cage against UC Merced, Stained added six more saves Marin Byars played the fourth quarter and picked up two saves.

ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
On the Salem game
"We overcame a slow start and despite going down early, we were able to stage the comeback. The depth of our roster was on display and it enabled us to win the game in the fourth quarter."

On the UC Merced game
"Great finish to six games in three days, a dominant performabce over UC Merced."

UP NEXT
CSUN will return to Big West play next Friday, March 13, hosting UC Santa Barbara at 2:30 p.m. at Matador Pool.

#GoMatadors