MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's will officially kickoff their 2025 season with a home matchup against CSUN, their first with the Matadors since 2008. The Gaels will bring a veteran squad into the 2025 season and are well positioned to make a run at the conference title. The Gaels were picked to finish 7th in this year's preseason poll and will look to get off on the right foot Thursday evening, seeking their first ever home win over CSUN. 

GAME INFORMATION AND COVERAGE

WSOC | Saint Mary's vs. CSUN | Saint Mary's Stadium
Moraga, Calif. | August 14th | 5:00 PM
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Tickets 

GAELS OUTLOOK

2024 Season Recap…

Saint Mary's matched the program record set in 2001 with 15 points in conference play concluding the 2024 season. With the WCC on the rise, the quality season for Romagnolo and her squad was only good for t-7th along with Portland who also finished 4-3-3 in conference play. The Gaels earned four all-conference selections including a pair of returners in Sydney Middaugh and Savannah Schwarze. 

Saint Mary's was mathematically still alive for the WCC regular season title after their 1-1 draw with 22nd ranked Pepperdine but fell to No. 11 Santa Clara in the season finale. Romagnolo has combined for 17 wins over her past two seasons at Saint Mary's as the Gaels continue to trend upward in what is arguably the most competitive conference on the west coast. 

All-WCC Preseason Team and Poll…

The 2025 All-WCC women's soccer preseason team and poll was announced on August 7th with Sydney Middaugh earning the nod to represent the Gaels. Middaugh played in a career high 18 games in 2024 and was named to the All-WCC Second Team for her second all-conference selection of her career. She finished second on the team with four goals and also recorded a career high three assists good for eleven points on the season.

Saint Mary's earned 66 points for 7th place in the preseason poll. 16th ranked Santa Clara earned seven first place votes to take the top spot while Pepperdine was picked to finish second with five first place votes. Seattle U was picked to finish ninth by the conference coaches in what will be their inaugural season in the WCC after joining the conference from the WAC. 

25 Returners for 2025 Season…

Saint Mary's will embark on the 2025 season without their leading goal scorer from a year ago in Tessa Salvestrin, who signed a professional contract with SCU Torreense in Portugal. Despite the loss, Romagnolo returned a whopping 25 players from their 2024 squad to stand as one of the most veteran teams in the conference. 

Amongst those returners are 2024 All-WCC selections Sydney Middaugh and Savannah Schwarze. Middaugh was the team's second leading goal scorer, matching her freshman total with four goals. She also recorded a career high three assists and was a vital piece to a dangerous front three throughout the 2024 season. Schwarze was another key piece in the team's midfield last season. She was one of the team's top facilitators as she recorded a career high four assists to lead the team while also starting in all 18 games.

"It's just nice, nice to know your players on and off the field coming into a season. It's also a great foundational factor as a program. It helps establish our identity and what Saint Mary's soccer is all about. When we get players that buy into that it really makes for a special experience here at Saint Mary's" (Romagnolo). 

Series History…

Saint Mary's and CSUN last met in 2008 and have only played twice in the program's history. Back in their 2008 meeting, the Matadors knocked off the Gaels 2-1 at Saint Mary's Stadium. 

The Gaels will look for their first win over CSUN since 1998 and their first ever home win over the Matadors as the '98 victory was played in Honolulu in the Hawaii Wahine Festival. 

ABOUT THE MATADORS (Big West)

CSUN is led by second year head coach Gina Brewer. In 2024, Brewer helped lead CSUN to a four-win improvement and to a seventh-place finish in the Big West standings after the team was predicted to finish last by the conference's head coaches. 

The Matadors played for a postseason spot until the final day of the regular season, ultimately finishing 3-4-3 in Big West play. CSUN would record their most overall wins and conference wins since 2019. Brewer also helped mentor a total of five first-time All-Big West honorees.

Senior midfielder Yoshi Rubalcava represented the Matadors and was placed on the 11-member Big West Preseason Coaches' Team. Rubalcava led the team with five goals and also had a pair of assists in 19 games played. CSUN was also selected t-9th in the Big West Preseason Coaches poll along with Bakersfield with 27 points.  

Kickoff is slated for 5:00 PM with the game being streamed live on ESPN+. Tickets can be bought at the gate or at smcgaels.com/tickets. Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information. 

GAMEDAY POLICIES & PROCEDURES: Please note the department's gameday policies including use of a clear bag. Additional information on the 'Clear Bag' policy and other gameday protocols can be found HERE or at smcgaels.com. 

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