CSUN Picks Up 2-2 Draw at Southern Utah to Close Non-Conference Play

Sunday, September 13

Cedar City, Utah

12:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

2-4-3, 0-0-0

Southern Utah

3-4-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
CSUN	1	1	2
Southern Utah	1	1	2

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

CSUN Picks Up 2-2 Draw at Southern Utah to Close Non-Conference Play

9/13/2026 3:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CEDAR CITY, Utah---CSUN Women's Soccer wrapped up non-conference play by earning a 2-2 draw against Southern Utah on Sunday at Thunderbird Soccer Field. The Matadors would come from behind twice on the day, picking up equalizers from freshman Theresa Castro and junior Yasmin Azar. Goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin totaled nine saves on the afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Matadors would be looking up at an early deficit in the match as Southern Utah netted its first attempt in the sixth minute off the foot of Sophia Memory. Looking for the equalizer, the Matadors went on the attack offensively, generating a pair of shots on frame from Azar. CSUN would earn a corner kick in the 27th minute, leading to a scoring chance at the net. Off a deflection from the defense, Michelle Monroy gathered possession and sent the ball to the left wing where Keilani Claiborne headed the ball to the center. Castro cleaned up the play with a right-footed shot to even the match at 1-1. Southern Utah ended the half with a barrage of attempts at the net, but Mauldin would deny each chance as she racked up three saves over the final five minutes of the period.

The equalizer for Theresa!

After an early goal from Southern Utah, Theresa Castro hits her first career goal to square the game at 1-1.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/O12PPzoWhx
— CSUN Women's Soccer (@CSUNWSoccer) September 13, 2026

The Thunderbirds broke the tie with another early goal to start the second period. The play began on the Thunderbird backline where a pass up over the top landed in front of a streaking Gracen Blieschke who went one-on-one with Mauldin before finding the right corner of the goal to put her team on top 2-1 in the 53rd minute. CSUN though had a quick response, setting up a similar scoring chance on its offensive third. Near midfield, Siena Navarra lobbed in a pass over a series of players and in front of a moving Azar. The junior would one touch the ball into the net to level the game at 2-2 with just under 30 minutes to go.

We are tied again!

What a pass from Siena Navarra over the top where Yasmin Azar nets the equalizer in the 61st minute.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/KxBtyscJNL
— CSUN Women's Soccer (@CSUNWSoccer) September 13, 2026

Later in the half, Lia Peterson nearly put the Matadors ahead with a shot from the left side of the box in the 66th minute, but goalkeeper Tatum Trout made the save. Claiborne and Jordyn Canister were each off target for CSUN while Southern Utah had several looks in the closing minutes, as the Matador defense stood tall each time. In perhaps the closest call of the Thunderbird attempts, Blieschke appeared to have Mauldin beat with a right-footed shot, however, Navarra made a timely save at the back post, helping keep the game tied

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN wraps up non-conference action with a 2-4-3 record while Southern Utah sits at 3-4-1.
The Matadors are now unbeaten over their last four matches.
The Trailblazers finished with a 15-11 edge in shots and an 11-6 advantage in shots on goal.
CSUN led in corner kicks, 4-3.
A total of 16 fouls were called with CSUN whistled for 11. Mauldin saw a yellow card in the 35th minute.
Azar's goal was her third of the season, all of which have come over the past two games. She also tallied four shots with each on frame.
Castro recorded her first career goal on Sunday.
The group of Navarra, Monroy, Sydney Lipkin and Alex Valente played the full 90 minutes for CSUN.

ACCORDING TO COACH GINA BREWER
"The team showed fight, grit, and resilience. We went down twice and fought back for a tough 2-2 draw. This game was not easy due to the altitude that was very challenging at almost 6,000 feet. Theresa scoring her first goal and Yasmin getting her third of this road trip to help get the draw was fantastic. We are very proud of the team and the improvement we've shown through non-conference overall."

UP NEXT
CSUN will have a nine-day layoff before opening Big West play against UC San Diego at Matador Soccer Field on Thursday, Sep. 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

#GoMatadors