CSUN Soccer Coach Finds Little Solace in Winning Record

If nothing else, Cal State Northridge’s 4-1 soccer victory over Gonzaga on Thursday night at North Campus Stadium guaranteed the Matadors a winning record.

That fact did not exactly thrill Coach Marwan Ass’ad.

“Winning season: That’s fine for the guys, the seniors,” Ass’ad said. “(But) we wanted to go to the playoffs.

“As far as the won-loss record, it was a losing season because we lost critical games that we shouldn’t lose. The major things I’ll remember are losing at (Nevada Las) Vegas and at New Mexico and (Cal State) Fullerton.”

The Matadors lost those crucial Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matches by one goal each.

The Matadors are 10-7 with one match remaining. But with a 3-4 record in conference play, the Matadors can finish no better than fourth in the Pacific Division of the MPSF. Only the top two schools qualify for the playoffs.

Northridge started quickly against Gonzaga, jumping to a 2-0 lead 12 minutes 29 seconds into the nonconference match on goals by Danny Daniels and Dominic Zapata.

The Matadors took command with a gorgeous goal by Armando Valdivia in the 53rd minute.

Valdivia started the drive near midfield, flicking a short pass to Zapata streaking down the left side. Zapata dribbled past one defender before passing back to Valdivia, who touched the ball pass the goalie for his 10th goal.

Daniels closed the scoring against the Bulldogs (1-13) with his 10th goal in the 87th minute, tying him with Valdivia for the team scoring lead.