CSUN Falls 2-1 at UNLV in Season Opener

Thursday, August 20

Las Vegas, Nev

8:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

0-1-0, 0-0-0

UNLV

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
CSUN	0	1	1
UNLV	2	0	2

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

CSUN Falls 2-1 at UNLV in Season Opener

8/20/2026 11:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The CSUN men's soccer team battled back from a two-goal deficit in the second half, but ultimately fell 2-1 to the UNLV Rebels Thursday night at Peter Johann Memorial Field. UNLV's Maxim Scordo scored twice in the opening half to give the Rebels a 2-0 advantage. Dave-Ryan Tankou netted his first career goal in the 79th minute.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After both teams tried to get a feel for the pace to start the game, an early shot by Sebastian Fuentes was off-target as the Matadors tried to get a rhythm going. Fuentes had another off-target shot in the ninth minute. Although both attempts were unsuccessful, it was clear that the Matadors were keeping the pressure on the opposing third of the field.

Scordo opened the scoring in the 18th minute, finding the bottom center of the net off his right foot with assists from Andres Robles and Nick Legendre.

Not too long after, a foul by Jorge Solorzano awarded a penalty kick to the home team.

Scordo added his second goal in response, placing the ball into the bottom right corner of the net to put UNLV ahead by two heading into halftime.

In the first ten minutes of the new half, UNLV was keen on slowing the game down. An attempt by Jacob Miranda at the 52 minute mark was off-target, setting up a goal kick for CSUN.

Issac Homer recorded his first shot as a Matador, an off-target attempt at the 64th minute, as CSUN couldn't break through.

The Rebels did a good job of protecting the ball, as the Matadors had trouble winning possession. Another shot by Fuentes was off-target in the 70th minute.

The Matadors ended up not going down without a fight. Tankou cut the deficit in half in the 79th minute. Francisco Garibay set up the scoring play, a cross to Tankou who found the bottom center of the net with his right foot. On the goal, UNLV tried to clear the ball out of CSUN's attack but was unsuccessful as Garibay won the ball back for the Matadors, leading to the sophomore's second career assist.

CSUN continued to pressure the UNLV defense in the closing minutes, but the Matadors were unable to find an equalizer.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN falls to 0-1-0 to begin the season.
Tankou was a late addition into the game. This was his first career match as he scored in only 36 minutes of playing time.
18 different Matadors saw the pitch in Thursday's opener.
Defender Daniel Garcia played all 90 minutes.
There were six yellow cards given out to UNLV.
Both teams had eight shots each.
Dorian Drucks had two saves.

UP NEXT
CSUN returns to action a week from tonight on August 27. The Matadors will play their home opener against The Master's University. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Matador Soccer Field.