The California State University Northridge Matadors men’s soccer team lost their final home game of the 2026 season, falling 5-1 to the Sacramento State Hornets on October 24 at Matador Soccer Field in Northridge, Calif.
CSUN took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a penalty kick goal by senior midfielder Jorge Solorzano, marking his fourth goal of the season. However, the Matadors were reduced to 10 men shortly after when Justin Sosa received a red card, forcing CSUN to play a man down for the remainder of the match.
Despite holding a 20-17 advantage in shots and a close 7-8 edge in shots on target, CSUN struggled to capitalize, with Sacramento State goalkeeper Lucas Bost recording six saves. Sacramento State surged in the second half, scoring five unanswered goals to secure the victory.
Zac Giles led the Hornets’ second-half surge with four goals, many assisted by Eli Reyneveld and others. CSUN goalkeeper Bryan Castaneda made three saves in the contest as well.
Matadors head coach Terry Davila described the red card as a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum in Sacramento State’s favor. He also praised Solorzano’s composure in converting the penalty kick under pressure.
CSUN’s next match is scheduled for October 31, 2026, against UC Santa Barbara at Harder Stadium, with live streaming available on ESPN+.
CSB Take
The red card issued to Justin Sosa immediately following CSUN’s early lead dramatically altered the game’s dynamic, forcing the Matadors to compete a man down against a strong Sacramento State squad. Although CSUN demonstrated offensive prowess, the disadvantage ultimately led to Sacramento State’s dominant second-half performance. This result highlights the critical importance of discipline and resilience, especially in tight conference matchups. The upcoming game against UC Santa Barbara offers the Matadors a vital chance to recover and finish their season positively.
Source: Original report
