UCLA Shuts Out CSUN in Soccer Championship

Perspective came quickly to Cal State Northridge soccer Coach Marwan Ass’ad after his team’s 2-0 loss to UCLA in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship Sunday at UCLA.

“We’ve worked so hard--11 years--to come play on the soccer field at UCLA,” Ass’ad said. “I’ve envied the way UCLA played the past 11 years. They used to make us look bad. This year we made a major breakthrough.”

That breakthrough, finishing second to UCLA in the MPSF Pacific Division and advancing to the federation’s title match, did not include piercing the Bruins’ defense, though.

And it may not include an invitation to the 32-team NCAA Division I playoffs. UCLA won the MPSF’s automatic berth, and the Matadors must hope to be awarded an at-large berth by the tournament selection committee.

The Matadors managed only five shots, compared to 20 for No. 3 UCLA, and threatened to score only twice.

With 11 minutes to play, Matt Davis took a shot that hit the crossbar during a wild scramble in front of the Bruin goal.

Three minutes later, Davis had a one-on-one situation against UCLA goalie Chris Snitko, but his shot sailed wide right.

The Matadors also wished they could have had a healthy Armando Valdivia.

Validivia, a senior forward who was named the MPSF Pacific Division Player of the Year, played for 54 minutes despite suffering from a pulled right hamstring.

He could not sprint or challenge players defensively, so he played midfield and limped around and immediately passed the ball whenever he got it.

Both goals for UCLA (18-2) came on head balls. Robbie LaBelle scored in the 23rd minute and John O’Brien in the 66th minute.