CSUN Will Unveil New Lineup in Second Half of Soccer Season

The Cal State Northridge soccer team begins the second half of its California Collegiate Athletic Assn. schedule today with a 1 p.m. match at Cal Poly Pomona.

CSUN (12-1-1, 4-0-1 in conference play), ranked third in Division II, is tied for first place with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

CSUN, the three-time defending conference champion, will field a new lineup against Pomona, a team the Matadors defeated, 5-1, in the conference opener three weeks ago.

Willie Lopez, a junior transfer from Foothill College, replaces senior Mike Caputo in goal. In addition, CSUN Coach Marwan Ass’ad will have three starting players switch positions.

Rodney Batt moves from forward to midfield, Mike Harvey moves from midfield to fullback and Steve Lazarus moves from fullback to forward.

“Moving Lazarus up to forward and Batt back to midfield gives us a lot more offense,” Ass’ad said. “Harvey has played fullback so we lose nothing there. These moves should help us a lot.”

Pomona (5-8-2, 1-4 in conference play) is led by junior forward Johnny Lima, who has 11 goals and seven assists.

The Matadors scored quickly in the first game against Pomona, forcing the Broncos out of their usual defensive game plan.

“We started fast and blew them off the field,” Ass’ad said. “They tried to attack us last time. I don’t think they’ll do that in this game.”