In a tense back-and-forth match, the CSUN Matadors faced off with the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners. The intense season-opening game of Big West Conference play ended in a draw on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at the Matador Soccer Field.

What was shaping up to be a loss for the Matadors was saved by CSUN midfielder Damien Baltierra, who scored the highlight goal with only 20 minutes left in the second half. With a shot that soared into the top-left corner of the net, CSUN brought the score to 2-2, tying the game and preventing Bakersfield from taking the win.

“The ball landed on my left foot; I shot it, and the rest is history,” Baltierra said.

Both teams put up a tough fight, pushing themselves as hard as they could with only victory on their minds.

“It was a good comeback against a quality opponent,” Head Coach Terry Davila said. “They have a lot of firepower up top and are very good on the counterattack.”

California State University, Bakersfield Defender Ulisse Alberti (18) and California State University, Northridge defender Devin Davila (21) fall while chasing the ball during the Big West Conference opener against the CSUB Roadrunners at Matador Soccer Field in Northridge, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. CSUN tied with Bakersfield 2-2. (Blake Fagan)

Bakersfield defender Filip Arras made the first move, earning the Roadrunners an early lead through a penalty kick goal. The Matadors did not let this deter them in the first half as CSUN forward Enrique Pineda scored the Matadors’ first point shortly after.

“We gave up a lot of penalty kicks,” Davila said. “When you put yourself in that position, you’re chasing the game the entire match. That’s not good for us; we have to minimize those mistakes.”

The outcome looked bleak for the Matadors as the first half came to an end following a powerful goal from Bakersfield midfielder Carlie Cazares, yet this did not stop the team from keeping up the pressure until the clock ran out in the second half.

The next game for the Matadors will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at the home field. While this is a non-conference game against the San Diego State Aztecs, the Matadors will be playing in celebration of Latino Heritage Month, featuring music, special announcements and a half-time performance from the CSUN Dance Team.