California State University Northridge Athletics
Photo by: Chuck Marvel
CSUN's Sydney Lipkin Collects Preseason All-Big West Honors
8/5/2026 11:06:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN's Women's Soccer's junior defender Sydney Lipkin was one-of-11 placed on the Big West Preseason Coaches' Team, as announced on Tuesday by the league's office. The defending Big West regular season champion Matadors were also picked to finish eighth in the conference by the league's head coaches.Â
Originally from Bothell, Wash., Lipkin picked up All-Big West First Team honors last season in helping CSUN win the 2025 Big West regular season crown. Lipkin anchored the Matador defense that posted nine total shutouts including a school-record seven consecutive shutouts during Big West play. Her work on defense limited Big West opponents to just four goals over 10 league matches.
Lipkin started all 20 matches last season, playing full time a total of 18 times. Overall, Lipkin appeared on the field for 1,798 minutes out of a possible 1,820 on the season.Â
In the 2026 Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll, CSUN received 58 points to take eighth place. A season ago, the Matadors were picked to finish ninth in the preseason poll, only to defy those expectations with a remarkable run to a Big West crown.Â
Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara finished tied for first place in the year's preseason coaches' poll with 100 points each. Cal State Fullerton was third with 98 points followed by Utah Valley (95 points), UC Irvine (76 points), California Baptist (75 points) and Long Beach State (72 points). Below CSUN was UC San Diego (45 points), Cal State Bakersfield (33 points), UC Riverside (22 points) and Sacramento State (18 points).Â
Overall, CSUN went 8-7-5 last season and 6-1-3 in Big West play. Gina Brewer would earn Big West Coach of the Year honors after leading CSUN to the top of the conference. The Matadors return 14 letterwinners in 2026, which include seven starters. Nine total newcomers make up the 2026 roster with two transferring in from Division I schools.Â
2026 Big West Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Team
 2026 Big West Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
() - First Place Votes
#GoMatadors
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Originally from Bothell, Wash., Lipkin picked up All-Big West First Team honors last season in helping CSUN win the 2025 Big West regular season crown. Lipkin anchored the Matador defense that posted nine total shutouts including a school-record seven consecutive shutouts during Big West play. Her work on defense limited Big West opponents to just four goals over 10 league matches.
Lipkin started all 20 matches last season, playing full time a total of 18 times. Overall, Lipkin appeared on the field for 1,798 minutes out of a possible 1,820 on the season.Â
In the 2026 Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll, CSUN received 58 points to take eighth place. A season ago, the Matadors were picked to finish ninth in the preseason poll, only to defy those expectations with a remarkable run to a Big West crown.Â
Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara finished tied for first place in the year's preseason coaches' poll with 100 points each. Cal State Fullerton was third with 98 points followed by Utah Valley (95 points), UC Irvine (76 points), California Baptist (75 points) and Long Beach State (72 points). Below CSUN was UC San Diego (45 points), Cal State Bakersfield (33 points), UC Riverside (22 points) and Sacramento State (18 points).Â
Overall, CSUN went 8-7-5 last season and 6-1-3 in Big West play. Gina Brewer would earn Big West Coach of the Year honors after leading CSUN to the top of the conference. The Matadors return 14 letterwinners in 2026, which include seven starters. Nine total newcomers make up the 2026 roster with two transferring in from Division I schools.Â
2026 Big West Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Team
| Radisson Banks | Sr. | Forward | Long Beach State |
| Emily Caughey | Sr. | Defender | UC Santa Barbara |
| Josie Clawson | R-Jr. | Midfielder | Utah Valley |
| Haley Clingan | Jr. | Defender | UC Irvine |
| Cherrie Cox | Sr. | Forward | Long Beach State |
| Camryn Cruz | Sr. | Midfielder | Cal State Fullerton |
| Anja Jestrovic | Sr. | Forward/Midfielder | California Baptist |
| Sydney Lipkin | Jr. | Defender | CSUN |
| Mikayla O'Brien | Gr. | Goalkeeper | California Baptist |
| Mia Owens | Sr. | Defender | Utah Valley |
| Annika Smith | Sr. | Forward | Cal Poly |
 2026 Big West Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
| T-1. | Cal Poly | 100 points (5) |
| T-1. | UC Santa Barbara | 100 points (4) |
| 3. | Cal State Fullerton | 98 points (1) |
| 4. | Utah Valley | 95 points (2) |
| 5. | UC Irvine | 76 points |
| 6. | California Baptist | 75 points |
| 7. | Long Beach State | 72 points |
| 8. | CSUN | 58 points |
| 9. | UC San Diego | 45 points |
| 10. | Cal State Bakersfield | 33 points |
| 11. | UC Riverside | 22 points |
| 12. | Sacramento State | 18 points |
#GoMatadors
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