San Diego State freshman Cayden "KK" Chowana-Bandhu has needed just a few weeks of college soccer to make her presence felt. The midfielder has already scored a last-minute game-winner, strung together a three-game scoring streak and earned Pac-12 Newcomer of the Week honors. For anyone who followed her path to San Diego, it may not come as a surprise.

Chowana-Bandhu, who grew up in Oak Park, California, quickly made a name for herself at Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks. As a high school freshman, she was named to the All-CIF Division II First Team. By her junior year she earned All-CIF Southern Section honors in Division I.

Her senior season was her best. She tallied 14 goals and 10 assists, was named Westlake High School’s Athlete of the Year and led her team to its first CIF-State SoCal Regional title.

Off the high school field, Chowana-Bandhu spent 10 seasons with Eagles SC in the Elite Clubs National League, earning First Team All-Conference honors three years in a row.

Her resume also includes an international debut. She played for the Thailand National Team at the 2026 AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup.

Chowana-Bandhu chose to continue her career at San Diego State, and she wasted no time making an impact. After scoring in an exhibition match against the University of San Diego, she picked up her first collegiate assist against Pacific on Aug. 27. Her biggest moments were still to come.

“I’ve been having a lot of fun here at SDSU!” shared Chowana-Bandhu. “I’m so grateful to be around such supportive and kind teammates. Transitioning into this team was so easy because they have been so welcoming and encouraging.”

Her play has continued to click. Chowana-Bandhu scored in three straight games, beginning with her first collegiate goal against Utah Valley on Sept. 12. It was a dramatic one: a game-winner with just 22 seconds left that sealed a 2-1 victory.

Four days later, she did it again, adding a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over Pepperdine. She then found the back of the net for the third consecutive game against Northern Colorado, finishing left-footed into the opposite corner.

The run made her the first true freshman to score in three consecutive matches for the Aztecs since 2019. After helping SDSU go 2-0 on the week, she was named Pac-12 Newcomer of the Week.

“I’ve … been really grateful for the coaching and training staff for taking such good care of me,” said Chowana-Bandhu. “I feel so supported and I’m excited to keep learning and growing this season!”

Website Photo: Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography