California State University Northridge Athletics
Friday, September 4
Northridge, Calif
7:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
vs
Houston Christian
Photo by: Connor Clark
CSUN Aims For Third Consecutive Win as Matadors Host Houston Christian
9/3/2026 1:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN men's soccer team (2-1-0) is set to take on the Houston Christian Huskies (1-3-0) for its final match of the three-game homestand, Friday night at Matador Soccer Field. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. Fans can follow live stats on GoMatadors.com
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LAST TIME OUT
CSUN picked up its second straight victory last Sunday night, defeating the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles, 1-0 at Matador Soccer Field. Kayvon Monfared scored the game's lone goal in the 22nd minute, while Dorian Drucks made two saves to record his second win and first shutout of the season.
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CSUN controlled the possession for much of the first half, winning 50-50 balls and making the right tackles when necessary. The Matadors outshot the Golden Eagles 12-0 and held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. The Matadors broke through in the 21st minute when Messiah Antwi delivered a throw-in from near the left corner into the box, where Monfared headed the ball home from 10 yards for his third goal of the season and third goal in two games.
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PUTTING THE BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET
In three games, the Matadors have netted seven goals, a four goal difference from their three-game start in 2025. CSUN is 37th in the nation in goal differential, as it has scored seven goals while giving up only three on the defensive end.Â
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Monfared is the team leader in goals with three on the season, including a brace in his home debut against The Master's University on August 27. It was the first time a Matador has registered two goals in one night since Deryk Jones Jr. scored two at UCSB on Oct. 23, 2024.
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Messiah Antwi, Michael Blevins, and Tito Oyewo have also tallied goals for CSUN this season.Â
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CSUN is also creating scoring opportunities, registering 48 shots and 18 shots on goal so far this season.Â
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DORIAN IS THE STAR GOALKEEPER
Dorian Drucks continues to be a menace in between the posts for the Matadors. The senior from Essen, Germany is tied second in CSUN single-season history with eight shutouts in 2025. That mark is also good enough for sixth best among all Division-I schools. His 69 saves led the Big West, with a save percentage of .852. He averaged 4.31 saves per contest in 2025.Â
He also has one shutout already on the season, as he helped secure the 1-0 win against ORU on Sunday. He was one-of-11 players named to the Big West Preseason Coaches' Team, announced on August 13.
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ABOUT HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
The Huskies come in at 1-3 and are looking to snap a two-game losing skid after falling to #5 SMU last week. HCU is led by Ryan Okerayi, who was named as one of eight "Players to Watch" in the Ohio Valley Conference heading into the 2026 season.Â
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A senior from Houston, Okerayi was named to the OVC All-Conference First-Team for the third straight season after leading the league in goals (9) and points (21). Prior to the season, he was also chosen by the United Soccer Coaches as a Player to Watch for the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, presented to the country's top player at the end of the season.
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Other players to watch are Nico Kross, Hans Leza and Harvey Heeps. Heeps was named Goalkeeper of the Week for the span of August 24-30, his first career weekly accolade. He has made 18 saves through four games.
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Ryan Pratt is in his 10th year as the head coach of the HCU men's soccer team, marking his 13th season with the program. The 2025 campaign saw new heights for the program under Pratt's watch. HCU finished its third season in the Ohio Valley Conference with an 11-5-3 mark overall and a 5-3-2 ledger in the league. The Huskies recorded the most victories in a single season since the 1990 team won 14 and are now 10-5-5 in league play over the past two seasons.
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This is the first meeting ever between these two teams.
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#GoMatadors
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LAST TIME OUT
CSUN picked up its second straight victory last Sunday night, defeating the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles, 1-0 at Matador Soccer Field. Kayvon Monfared scored the game's lone goal in the 22nd minute, while Dorian Drucks made two saves to record his second win and first shutout of the season.
Â
CSUN controlled the possession for much of the first half, winning 50-50 balls and making the right tackles when necessary. The Matadors outshot the Golden Eagles 12-0 and held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. The Matadors broke through in the 21st minute when Messiah Antwi delivered a throw-in from near the left corner into the box, where Monfared headed the ball home from 10 yards for his third goal of the season and third goal in two games.
Â
PUTTING THE BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET
In three games, the Matadors have netted seven goals, a four goal difference from their three-game start in 2025. CSUN is 37th in the nation in goal differential, as it has scored seven goals while giving up only three on the defensive end.Â
Â
Monfared is the team leader in goals with three on the season, including a brace in his home debut against The Master's University on August 27. It was the first time a Matador has registered two goals in one night since Deryk Jones Jr. scored two at UCSB on Oct. 23, 2024.
Â
Messiah Antwi, Michael Blevins, and Tito Oyewo have also tallied goals for CSUN this season.Â
Â
CSUN is also creating scoring opportunities, registering 48 shots and 18 shots on goal so far this season.Â
Â
DORIAN IS THE STAR GOALKEEPER
Dorian Drucks continues to be a menace in between the posts for the Matadors. The senior from Essen, Germany is tied second in CSUN single-season history with eight shutouts in 2025. That mark is also good enough for sixth best among all Division-I schools. His 69 saves led the Big West, with a save percentage of .852. He averaged 4.31 saves per contest in 2025.Â
He also has one shutout already on the season, as he helped secure the 1-0 win against ORU on Sunday. He was one-of-11 players named to the Big West Preseason Coaches' Team, announced on August 13.
Â
ABOUT HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
The Huskies come in at 1-3 and are looking to snap a two-game losing skid after falling to #5 SMU last week. HCU is led by Ryan Okerayi, who was named as one of eight "Players to Watch" in the Ohio Valley Conference heading into the 2026 season.Â
Â
A senior from Houston, Okerayi was named to the OVC All-Conference First-Team for the third straight season after leading the league in goals (9) and points (21). Prior to the season, he was also chosen by the United Soccer Coaches as a Player to Watch for the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, presented to the country's top player at the end of the season.
Â
Other players to watch are Nico Kross, Hans Leza and Harvey Heeps. Heeps was named Goalkeeper of the Week for the span of August 24-30, his first career weekly accolade. He has made 18 saves through four games.
Â
Ryan Pratt is in his 10th year as the head coach of the HCU men's soccer team, marking his 13th season with the program. The 2025 campaign saw new heights for the program under Pratt's watch. HCU finished its third season in the Ohio Valley Conference with an 11-5-3 mark overall and a 5-3-2 ledger in the league. The Huskies recorded the most victories in a single season since the 1990 team won 14 and are now 10-5-5 in league play over the past two seasons.
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This is the first meeting ever between these two teams.
Â
#GoMatadors
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
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