The Matadors of California State University, Northridge opened their 2025 preseason campaign at Matador Soccer Field against the defending Canada West champions, Trinity Western University. In front of a modest but enthusiastic crowd, the two sides traded early chances before the visitors edged ahead in the 36th minute.
CSUN answered quickly, with Lianna Holz finding the back of the net in the fifth minute to restore parity. The lead was short‑lived, however, as Kate Paukovic’s well‑placed strike put Trinity Western back in front just before halftime.
The second half saw the home side tighten their grip, and a brilliant run by Mansha Sidhu culminated in a 56th‑minute goal that flipped the scoreboard to 3‑1 in favor of the Matadors. Yet the visitors refused to surrender, pressing forward and forcing a series of saves from CSUN goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin, who turned in three crucial stops in the opening period of the half.
A Late Surge Falls Short
With the clock winding down, the deadlock seemed to linger until the 106th minute, when Veronica Toscano rose above the defense to head home the equalizer, sparking a roar from the stands. The goal, however, proved to be the decisive blow as Trinity Western’s earlier lead held, leaving the Matadors to settle for a 3‑2 defeat.
Despite the loss, the match offered plenty of bright spots. Jana Akins and Paige Harris both carved out chances that rattled the crossbar, while Ireland Regan’s late surge hinted at future promise. Statistically, Trinity Western outshot CSUN 16‑10 and earned a slight edge in corner kicks, 4‑3, but the Matadors held a modest advantage in set‑piece opportunities.
Looking ahead, CSUN will travel to Boise, Idaho, for their next contest on August 12, where they will meet Boise State in a 6 p.m. PT showdown. The upcoming game promises to test the lessons learned from a match that, while ending in defeat, showcased resilience, depth of talent, and the spark of several emerging players.