Season opener on the horizon
The Matadors open their 2026 home campaign on Thursday evening, hosting Idaho State at Matador Soccer Field, kickoff set for 7 p.m.
The program has endured a nine‑match winless streak in home openers that stretches back to 2016, with their last victory on the road coming in 2015 against Portland State.
Goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin, who missed the previous season with an injury, returned to action and posted 18 saves in her first two matches of the year, highlighted by a career‑high 12 stops against Idaho.
The roster features a wave of newcomers, with nine players — including six freshmen — making their collegiate debuts, among them Malea Johnson and Ireland Regan.
Idaho State, coming off a 1‑1 draw with Snow College, will rely on returning standouts such as Saydree Cooke and Hannah Wieler, who helped the team finish the 2025 campaign with a 5‑8‑4 record.
Looking ahead, the Matadors have two more non‑conference home fixtures against San José State and UNLV before diving into Big West play, a schedule that could revive the perfect 5‑0 home record they posted in 2025.