Fan Fair Pumps Up CSUN Fans Before Women’s Soccer Game

  • CSUN students show off their temporary CSUN tattoos during the CSUN Women's Soccer Fan Fair event. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Matty the Matador leads CSUN band members to the Matador Soccer Field. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Matty the Matador and a CSUN game play the popular game bean bag Corn Hole before the start of the match. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • A CSUN student wins a free prize during the Women's soccer Fan Fair event. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Matty the Matador high fives redshirt sophomore Kyla Diekmann before the start of the game. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • CSUN fans cheer on the Women's Soccer team during its game against UC Irvine. Photo by David Hawkins.

The California State University, Northridge Women’s Soccer team defeated the UC Irvine 2-0 on Oct. 8, after two second-half goals by forward Cynthia Sanchez, but that was just the finishing point for an action-packed evening to match the sizzling temperatures.

CSUN students and fans headed to the game early to take part in Fan Fair, a free event hosted by the university. Fans — including Matty the Matador — played the popular bean bag game Corn Hole, while others shot soccer balls between two inflatable soccer posts.

The CSUN Department of Police Services staffed information booths, where fans could answer trivia questions and win free pens, stickers and reusable water bottles. The first 100 fans received free hot dogs to munch on before the game.

“[Fan Fair] was a great experience that catered to all ages,” said CSUN sophomore Jennifer Flores. “The energy and excitement [before the game] was something I haven’t seen before.”

Flores, who had never been to a CSUN sporting event, said she will definitely be back again this season.

The CSUN band marched up to the field 30 minutes before the game began, generating even more energy in the already-excited crowd. Local American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) teams scrimmaged in front of the CSUN crowd at halftime.

After an exciting evening for CSUN fans, Sanchez put the icing on the cake when her late goal sealed the win for the Matadors.

“Fan Fair really set the mood for the game,” CSUN student Jesse Heyer said. “It’s a really great thing that [CSUN] has these kinds of events, because it gets people excited and more involved with the school.”

, , ,