CSUN Is Heavy Favorite to Defend CCAA Soccer Title

Marwan Ass’ad used to be content with winning the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. soccer title. But after coaching Cal State Northridge to three consecutive CCAA championships, well, he has become spoiled.

“I would like to dominate the hell out of the conference this season,” Ass’ad said. “We’re confident. It would be ridiculous if we weren’t with all the talent we have.”

CSUN, ranked fifth in Division II, begins pursuit of the conference championship at 7:30 tonight when the Matadors play host to Cal Poly Pomona at North Campus Stadium.

CSUN (8-1), which won the conference with a 9-0-1 record last season, could be challenged by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chapman or Pomona. But in all probability, CSUN again will rule the CCAA.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Northridge should repeat based on their experience and success in the past,” Pomona Coach Otto Rieger said. “Success breeds success. They know how to do it.”

One of the main reasons for CSUN’s predicted success is senior forward Joey Kirk, who scored a career-high five goals in CSUN’s 8-1 win over Westminster of Utah last weekend. Kirk, an All-American and the school’s all-time leading scorer, has 16 goals this season. He needs just one more to break the CSUN career record for goals (45) held by Jose Perez, who played for the Matadors from 1981-84.

“With Kirk up front you have speed and experience,” Cal State Dominguez Hills Coach Marine Cano said. “If you don’t slow him down, you’re in for a long night.”

Senior Thor Lee, an All-American defender, has scored three goals in the past three games, and midfielder Juan Flores has scored four goals and bolstered the Matadors’ defense after a strategic adjustment by Ass’ad. CSUN was defending with seven players for most of the season, which allowed Kirk, forward Rodney Batt and Flores to relax and rest for duty on offense. But after CSUN’s 3-1 loss to Westmont two weeks ago, Ass’ad scrapped the plan and brought Flores back into the defensive scheme.

“We didn’t think we needed Juan on defense, but we do,” Ass’ad said. “The difference between seven and eight defenders is a big one.”

The Matadors will learn more about stacked defenses against Pomona (4-4-2), which tied CSUN, 0-0, in the conference opener last season. The Broncos, with eight new starters, feature an offense that begins and ends with high-scoring forward Johnny Lima. The rest of the Broncos defend.

Lima, a junior, has eight goals and seven assists this season. He finished with 38 points last season--two behind conference-leader Kirk.

“We won’t allow Lima to get into a one-on-one situation,” Ass’ad said. “He’s fast and quick. He’s not as fancy as Kirk, but he gets the job done.”

Cal Poly SLO (3-3-1), which finished second in the conference last season, is led by junior forward Dan Campbell. He scored a school-record 21 goals in 1986. Chapman (5-3-1) is ranked 18th in Division II. Dominguez Hills--which starts eight freshmen and three sophomores--and Bakersfield could present problems for some teams in a one-game situation, but neither is expected to challenge for the title.