San Bernardino Can Keep Up in Division II Soccer

It is a year of transition for Cal State San Bernardino’s athletic programs.

After competing as an NCAA Division III independent, the Coyotes have stepped up to Division II and the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. and are expected to face difficulties in most sports.

But an exception is men’s soccer, where the Coyotes are making the transition at an opportune time.

After all, the program had a 73-39-5 record in its first six seasons under Coach Carlos Juarez and was listed in Division III’s top 20 each of the past three seasons.

The team also has had success against CCAA opponents, including a 3-0 record last season against Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Chapman.

The Coyotes have already made a good impression in their first two games this season, losing, 3-1, in overtime to San Diego State--ranked sixth in the West region in Division I--and defeating Division II Grand Canyon of Phoenix, 3-2.

So it is no wonder that Juarez, who was an All-CCAA performer at Cal State Los Angeles in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, has a good feeling early in the season.

“I think we’ll hold our own,” he said. “We have a young team, but a lot depends on how quickly our players develop on the field. We’ll be in most of our games but we’ll just have to wait and see how well we do.”

Juarez, 30, said the most difficult aspect of the transition will be adjusting to a more challenging schedule. In addition to Division I opponents San Diego State and Nevada Las Vegas, the Coyotes must face Division II contenders such as Cal State Bakersfield, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Metro State of Denver and San Francisco State, plus perennial Division III power UC San Diego.

“The main thing is, we have to remain focused,” Juarez said. “In the past, we always had an easy game in between (the tough ones), but this year that is not the case. It’s more of an attitude thing. It’s going to be tougher mentally realizing that we can’t afford a letdown, so our players have to be ready for that.”

He said the program could also benefit from a higher operating budget, which would go toward improving facilities and recruiting.

“The cosmetic things are a little better this season,” Juarez said. “It’s improved a little, and hopefully other things will also come with time.”

He said he has already benefited in recruiting from the move to Division II.

“I was able to get a player from Idaho (midfielder Jamal Holmes) because I was able to offer him a little financial aid,” Juarez said. “They also tell us that we’ll be getting some new facilities in the future, so if they’re willing to do that, I think we can do well.”

Juarez also has an important role in the U.S. national women’s soccer program. He is the women’s 19-and-under coach for the West region in the Olympic Development Program and may be an assistant for the U.S. team at the first women’s World Cup this November in China.

“It’s still up in the air as to whether I go there (to China) or not,” Juarez said. “It depends on how we’re doing here because there may be a conflict with our team. For me, my job here is always the top priority.”

It is only the second game of the season, but for Azusa Pacific, its football matchup Saturday at Azusa against Austin (Tex.), a leading team in the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics, is especially significant.

Both teams enter the week in the top 25 of the NAIA Division II rankings, Austin No. 16 and Azusa Pacific No. 23. Austin is 0-1 after a 12-6 loss to Hardin-Simmons last week; the Cougars won their season opener over Cal Lutheran, 21-19.

Azusa Pacific has never reached the NAIA playoffs, but longtime Coach Jim Milhon thinks it may have its best opportunity this season.

“We have been an NAIA school for a long time and we are a West Coast independent, and this is the first time we’ve had a chance to play a good team from the Midwest,” Milhon said. “It’s a chance to see where we stand against a good opponent.”

Despite Austin’s loss to Hardin-Simmons last week, Milhon said he is impressed by the Kangaroos. “If we were comparing them to dogs, we’re up against a Doberman,” he said.

With a tough schedule ahead, including games against Occidental and Humboldt State of NCAA Division II, Milhon doesn’t want to say that Saturday’s game has make-or-break significance, although he will not downplay its importance.

“If we won, it still wouldn’t mean that we’d go to the playoffs, but it would certainly push the temperature up in that direction,” he said. “I don’t know how high we’d go, but it’s just a very important football game for us.”

College Division Notes

Safety Eric Treibatch of Cal State Northridge, who intercepted two passes in his team’s 20-13 loss to Eastern Washington last week, was named Western Football Conference defensive player of the week. Quarterback John St. Jacques of Santa Clara, who played at Riverside Norte Vista High School, was the offensive player of the week.

Kevin Bromley, assistant men’s basketball coach at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., the past two seasons, was named an assistant coach at Cal Poly Pomona. Bromley replaces Leroy Washington, who has become an assistant at Montana. . . . The Biola men’s soccer team is off to one of its best starts in recent years, opening the season with 2-0 victories over Hawaii Pacific and Pacific Christian. The Eagles were led by forward Sean Coppage and goalkeeper Scott Nandor.

Westmont is also off to a fast start with a 3-1 record in its first soccer season under Coach Dave Wolf. The only loss for the Warriors, who were ranked No. 14 in the NAIA in a preseason poll, has been by a 3-2 score to UCLA of NCAA Division I. . . . Westmont will raise funds for its athletic scholarship fund with its eighth annual Westmont Sports Associates golf tournament Oct. 14 at 12:30 p.m. at La Cumbre Country Club in Santa Barbara. Reservations can be made with the athletic department, (805) 565-6010.