The CSUN men’s soccer team (6-6-2 record) played a crucial game against the UC San Diego Tritons (7-5-2 record). The Matadors sit at fifth in the standings for the Big West, which is just inside the mark for conference tournament eligibility. For the Tritons, they are fourth in the PAC-12 conference, which is barely in the mark for playoffs in that conference.

The first half was highly competitive and very entertaining; within the first 12 minutes, the Tritons were adding constant pressure offensively, giving the Matadors little to no breathing room. Their forwards also added pressure to both sides of the ball. On top of that, the Tritons had multiple crosses inside the box.

Towards the final 15 minutes of the first half, the Matadors found their chance after a miscalculated ball from a Triton player was stolen in midfield, leading to a fast-paced score from the right side of the field by CSUN forward Kayvon Monfared, assisted by midfielder Miles Johnson. Within the final minutes of the half, Triton forward Tyler Cash scored the tying goal after a turnover from the Matador defenders within the backline to tie the game 1-1. At the end of the first half, the overall ball possession was 50% for both teams, adding to the already intense game.

Within the first ten minutes of the second half, the cards seemed to have flipped as the Matadors started to pick up more ball possession and better defense. Just two minutes later, the Tritons had just enough breathing room to create an offensive play, countering instantly with a goal by midfielder Masayuki Fujita to take a 2-1 lead. The Matadors countered just five minutes later after an impressive deep pass from the other side of the field by midfielder Jorge Solorzano to give Monfareds his second goal of the game to tie at 2-2. Monfareds gave his thanks to his teammates for his performance.

“ It means everything to me… this team is growing every game and that connection me and Jorge[Solorzano] have together… I trust him and he trusts me; the chemistry we have is unbelievable and the whole team chemistry is unbelievable,” said Monfared.

With 23 minutes left to go, a foul in the box from the Tritons created a potential penalty opportunity for the Matadors. After it was reviewed on the Video system, it was given to the Matadors. Solorzano’s penalty kick from the left side was good and retook the lead 3-2.

The Tritons tried their hardest to get an opportunity to score after the Matador goal. With the offensive pressure and even within the final 10 minutes, the Tritons challenged for a potential penalty kick and the call stood with no penalty given. Lastly, the Matadors were able to take away close Triton opportunities with defensive clearances and a strong defense that was able to seal the Matadors’ win.

Head coach for the Matadors, Terry Davila, said it was a team effort that got them the win.

“It’s a team game, you know, we used it as an opportunity for players to get minutes and they came through for us… we executed our game plan the second half and it got a little bit better and we scored and we came back from being down 2-1,” said Davilla.

The Matadors celebrated in a different way as well; it was senior night, which gave the seniors the opportunity to be in the spotlight a couple of games before the season potentially ends.

“You know it’s so nice to see kids getting their degrees… with this world right now and the way sports are, people forget what an opportunity like college sports does give,” Davilla said. “It gives an opportunity for someone to get a degree and hopefully help them pursue their next thing in their life, not just athletics, but in life.”

Monfared discussed the leadership he brings to the team when reflecting on senior night,

“ I feel amazing, you know, it’s crazy how time flies and it means everything to me,” Monfared said. “My family is here… as a leader on this team, as an older guy, you want to set an example for the younger guys and show them that even though it’s a non-conference game, every game matters, especially in college soccer, like every game comes down to the last second.”

The Matadors will return to Matador Soccer Field to face the Sacramento State Hornets on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.