Three days after getting off to a rough start at Grand Canyon to start 2009, the defending national champions regained their form in their home opener against Cal State San Marcos after the raising of their championship flag in a pre-game ceremony, and the result was an inspiring 4-0 win after two goals by senior Andrew Marinez to bring CSUDH to 1-1 on the young season. At halftime, midfielder Scott Mariano and women's soccer player Paige Peel were honored as the inaugural recipients of the JT Minami Memorial Scholarship.