Jasmine Pratt helped Cal State Northridge host its first women’s soccer conference playoff game last season.

The 2007 Mililani graduate has even bigger goals for her senior year.

Pratt, a four-year starting defender for the Matadors, has her sights set on CSUN accomplishing more firsts in program history, including an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

"I want to host games in the conference playoffs and win," Pratt said. "Northridge has never won the conference championship, so I really want to do that and make the NCAA for the first time. That’s the ultimate goal."

PROFILE | JASMINE PRATT » School: Cal State Northridge Don't miss out on what's happening! Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE! Email Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser's and Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. » Position: defender » Class: senior » Height: 5 feet 4 » High school: Mililani (2007) » Notes: started 67 of 71 matches in her collegiate career, including all 14 this season; If she starts every match this season, will set the school record for career appearances; has three career assists, including one this year against UC Davis

Cal State Northridge was picked to finish fifth in the Big West, but currently sits in second place at 3-1 after a victory at Cal Poly on Sunday. CSUN’s only conference loss came in a 1-0 shutout at UC Santa Barbara.

A big part of its success is due to the defense, which Pratt, who has started 67 games in the backfield, is a big part of.

The Matadors have allowed only one goal in four conference games.

"I think we’re doing pretty good, especially considering we went 5-5 in the preseason against very good competition," Pratt said. "Right now we’re pretty excited about where we’re at."

Cal State Northridge scored a big win at the UNLV Nike Classic in September, earning victories over Kansas and the host Rebels to take the tournament championship.

The Matadors also played sixth-ranked Texas A&M in College Station and lost to Portland, currently ranked second in the country, by a goal at home.

Pratt, who can become the school’s all-time leader in games played if she appears in every match the rest of the season, is hopeful that experience will help propel the team forward.

"When I first got here we were kind of rebuilding and slowly building the foundation," she said. "We lost four seniors and two redshirt juniors that decided not to come back for a fifth year, but (the five) seniors and returnees have really stepped up and taken control of the team."

Pratt, who had come home every winter and summer break in college, decided to stay on the mainland and play for a semipro team in the WPSL this offseason.

The experience competing in a league with a different skill set has made a difference in Pratt’s performance her senior season.

"In that league, everyone was so much more technical in their abilities, which forced me to become a better soccer player," Pratt said. "The quality of soccer was really high."

The Matadors continue a stretch of five out of six games on the road with a match against UC Irvine on Friday.