CSUN Men's Soccer Fell to San Jose State
The CSUN men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 result against San Jose State after a quick early penalty goal.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Soccer
CSUN lost 1-0 to San Jose State at home following a fourth-minute penalty kick from Fernando Duarte. The defeat was compounded by two red cards that left the team shorthanded.
Why it matters
A lack of readiness at the start of the match proved costly for CSUN, as the early goal allowed San Jose State to dictate the remainder of the contest. Defensive discipline also suffered, leading to multiple ejections.
CSUN goalkeeper Dorian Drucks recorded four saves while opponent Ronin Axelson stopped eight shots. Red cards in the 63rd and 79th minutes forced both teams to finish the match with 10 players.
The players
Fernando Duarte
He is a player for San Jose State who converted the game-winning penalty kick.
Dominik Wicks
He is a CSUN player who was issued a red card during the second half.
Jordi Tortell Daly
He is a CSUN player who was issued a red card in the 79th minute.
Dorian Drucks
He is the goalkeeper for CSUN who tallied four saves during the match.
Ronin Axelson
He is the goalkeeper for San Jose State who recorded eight saves to secure the win.
The details
Fernando Duarte scored the deciding goal via a penalty kick in the fourth minute following a handball. Despite the disadvantage, the match remained physical as Dominik Wicks and Jordi Tortell Daly were sent off in the second half.
Timeline
4th minute: Fernando Duarte scored a penalty kick.
63rd minute: Dominik Wicks received a red card.
79th minute: Jordi Tortell Daly received a red card.
September 20, 2026: CSUN faces Grand Canyon University.
September 30, 2026: CSUN faces Cal State Bakersfield.
The Big Picture
This loss complicates the team's standing as they navigate the 2026 Big West Conference soccer schedule. The result underscores the difficulty of recovering from early deficits in high-stakes non-conference play.
The loss leaves CSUN scrambling to reset their rotation ahead of upcoming conference matchups. Having to play shorthanded for significant portions of the second half significantly impacted the team's ability to mount an effective offensive response.
The takeaway
Early game discipline remains the primary hurdle for the team as they look toward upcoming opponents. Maintaining full roster strength is essential for securing points in the remainder of the season.
What happens next
The CSUN men's soccer team is scheduled to play Grand Canyon University on September 20, 2026, followed by a match against Cal State Bakersfield on September 30, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local matches, visit Soccer.
