Reigning Big West regular-season champions Matador women’s soccer is halfway through its 2026 season; the playoff picture looks bright, especially with the team being on a three-game win streak. With the Big West standings very close in margin, the second half of the season will be crucial in shaping the team’s postseason outlook.
The Matadors are currently second in the Big West with a record of 3-1-1 and an overall record of 5-5-4. After beginning the season with a mix of losses, ties and wins and a loss to start conference play, the team enters the second half looking to remain consistent and a force to be reckoned with.
The first month of gameplay saw the Matadors struggling on the road. When conference play started, the Matadors took a loss to UC San Diego on Sept. 23. Since then, the team has gained momentum, taking a draw against Cal State Fullerton and boasting three straight wins against Long Beach State, Cal State Bakersfield and UC Irvine.
Behind their success are forwards Yasmin Azar and Jordyn Canister, along with midfielders Ariana Lopez-Angel and Lia Peterson. If these players aren’t scoring, they are assisting and furthering offensive pressure. Azar and Lopez-Angel lead the team with four goals apiece, while Azar has recorded five assists and Lopez-Angel has four. Peterson has scored in two of her last four appearances, including a game-winning goal against Long Beach State, while Canister has scored or assisted in three of the team’s last four games.
An honorable mention to this powerful offensive lineup is forward Jana Akins; since getting her first career goal in the match against Cal State Fullerton, she went on to score in the next two games after that.
When the Matadors possess the ball offensively, they make it count with fast breaks and strategic setups. One thing to note is that they have been outshot by their opponents, with the Matadors recording 163 shots while their opponents record 245, an 82-shot difference.
An increase in their shot production could give the Matadors more opportunities to capitalize on their offensive talent as conference play continues. With 26 goals scored and 26 conceded, the Matadors have matched their scoring output with the number of goals allowed. Creating more scoring opportunities while limiting opponents will be important as the season progresses.
The Matadors face Cal Poly and Cal Baptist at home this week. Later on in the month, they will be tested against UC Santa Barbara, who are right behind them in conference standings. Then Utah Valley, who are tied for first place in conference with Cal State Fullerton. All of these matches are crucial for determining the postseason position for the team.
