The 2026 season got off to a rough start for the Cal State Northridge women's soccer team, as they fell 3‑0 to Boise State on Wednesday at the Boas Soccer Complex. The match marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs and set a competitive tone early in the campaign.
Boise State’s Early Surge Sets the Pace
Boise State broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Campbell Wilson finished a crisp pass from Sophie Schmautz, slipping the ball past Hayden Mauldin's outstretched gloves. The goal sparked a wave of attacking momentum for the Broncos, who continued to press forward.
Olivia Collins doubled the lead just seventeen minutes later, capitalizing on a ricochet shot that left the Matadors scrambling for clearance. Ariana Lopez‑Angel managed CSUN's lone shot on goal in the 44th minute, but it was comfortably blocked by Ava de Leest, preserving the shutout.
The second half saw Wilson add a second goal, finishing a move set up by Mia Lane to extend the lead to 3‑0. Throughout the game Boise State outshot CSUN 19‑3 and earned ten corners to the Matadors' two, underscoring the Broncos' dominance in both volume and chance creation.
For CSUN, the match represented a milestone for Hayden Mauldin, who made her first appearance since October 22, 2023, after a three‑year hiatus. She finished with six saves, battling valiantly despite the deficit. Regulars Sydney Lipkin, Siena Navarra and Alex Valente played the full 90 minutes, gaining valuable experience ahead of the next fixture.
Looking ahead, the Matadors will travel to face Idaho on Saturday, with the match scheduled for 6 p.m. and streamed live on ESPN+. The team hopes to regroup, tighten defensive organization, and translate the experience gained from this opening loss into a stronger performance.