CSUN’s Ass’ad Optimistic--Again : Soccer Team’s Speed, Skill Fills Coach With Great Expectations

Marwan Ass’ad is an eternal optimist, which makes the Cal State Northridge coach a tough read when it comes to predicting the fortunes of his team.

This much is safe to predict: If the Matadors are as fast, agile and animated as their coach is when he’s talking about the team, they will not only be good but also entertaining.

How does Ass’ad feel about this squad, one that will have five freshmen in the starting lineup for an exhibition match against UCLA at North Campus Stadium tonight? Take a look at his arms.

Those are goose bumps, inspired by a simple question regarding the quality of CSUN’s defense.

“We are so fast, but also skillful,” says Ass’ad, motioning with both hands. “And we have control, I just love it. I just love it, we have control. At midfield, we have control. We have more control than ever on defense and at midfield.”

Ass’ad smiles broadly as he speaks. His eyes are wide with excitement. Possessed by a flurry of positive thinking, he has momentarily lost control.

Northridge will have only two seniors in the starting lineup and the top five scorers from last season’s team, which went 19-2-1 and played in the Division II national championship match, have completed their eligibility. One of the team’s co-captains, Andy Torres, was declared academically ineligible last week and another pivotal player, Mike Littman, the goalie for El Camino College’s state championship team, was ruled academically ineligible Friday.

So is this a rebuilding year?

“That does not accurately describe the situation,” he says. “I’m not dealing with the same material I used to. Roberto Reyes, Jim Hall, Terry Davila . . . I don’t think it’s fair to tell those guys we have to rebuild. They’re top-notch players. We have more technically skillful players than ever.”

In past seasons, Ass’ad says, he at first had to tutor his team on basics such as chipping and receiving. No more.

“They are ready, technically and physically, to play,” Ass’ad says. “Tactically, they are not, but we’re working on it. We’re learning to play together. But when the technical level is so high, it takes a much shorter time to learn.”

UCLA, the Division I national champion in 1985 and a quarterfinalist last season, will serve as a respected opening guest lecturer.

“That’s our toughest game every year,” Ass’ad says. “It’s great to play UCLA. It gets the fans out and, also, it answers a lot of questions about our team. They show us what we need to work on.”

Last season, UCLA beat CSUN, 1-0. “The problem we have is with their midfield press,” Ass’ad says. “They really pressure the ball.”

But if Ass’ad is concerned, he veils it well.

“Those freshmen who are starting will not be nervous,” he says. “They might be because it’s UCLA, you know, the name. But UCLA is not going to stop Roberto. UCLA is not going to blow by Terry Davila. UCLA is not going to abuse those kids. Jim Hall is going to play at midfield and do his stuff. And Keith Martin and Scott Piri the same.

“Reyes, German Laverdez, Davila, those guys come from select teams. They’ve been in State Cup games. State Cup under-19 is a big-time thing. Those guys have experience against college-caliber players.”

The freshmen who likely will start are Reyes, a forward, John Alevras, a sweeper, and midfielders Piri, Hall and Davila.

Jeff Blumkin, a sophomore from Birmingham High, will replace Littman in goal. Another key player for the Matadors will be senior Steve Lazarus, a sweeper last season who is moving to forward where he will replace Joey Kirk, CSUN’s all-time leading scorer.

“Laz is a little rough, but he’s confident and he learns so fast,” Ass’ad says. “He has the skill and the mind to play that position. It’s just a matter of time and he’ll explode.”