Ranked Soccer Teams to Test Northridge Early

Are they contenders or pretenders?

In the span of three days, the Cal State Northridge men’s soccer team expects to find out.

Coach Marwan Ass’ad is bubbling with confidence after opening victories over Cal State Dominguez Hills and The Master’s last week.

But he will have a better indication of Northridge’s prospects for earning a Division I playoff berth after the Titan Classic this weekend at Cal State Fullerton.

The Matadors will open the tournament tonight at 6 against 17th-ranked Fresno State, a perennial postseason contender. On Sunday at 2 p.m., Northridge will meet fifth-ranked Washington at Titan Stadium.

“It’s the biggest weekend of September for us,” Ass’ad said. “It’s a great opportunity for the kids to earn a lot of respect early.”

At least one Northridge player already has garnered ample respect. Armando Valdivia, who has five of the Matadors’ eight goals plus an assist, is sure to receive plenty of attention from Bulldog and Husky defenders.

Valdivia, a senior who was switched from midfielder to forward for his final collegiate campaign, is coming off a hat trick against The Master’s.

“Honestly, he should have scored 10 goals by now,” Ass’ad said. “Against Dominguez Hills, he had six good chances and only scored two.

“If he can score on 60% of his chances, we’ll win every game.”

Fresno is led by Brian Johnson, a sophomore who is a member of the U.S. Junior National team, and Sterling Wescott, a senior who has two goals and an assist in the Bulldogs’ two games, both victories.

Kyle Godat, a freshman, and Erik Penner, a junior, each has two goals and an assist for Washington, which also is 2-0.

Northridge will be short a goalkeeper against Fresno. Mark MacDonald is ineligible to play after receiving a red card against The Master’s. Louie Mata, who has allowed only one goal in 145 minutes this season, will get the start against the Bulldogs; MacDonald is scheduled to return against Washington.