CAL STATE FULLERTON NOTEBOOK / LON EUBANKS

Mistri Sees NCAA Snub as Just a Minor Setback

Coach Al Mistri’s jaw sagged with disappointment Monday when he heard his Cal State Fullerton men’s soccer team did not get an at-large berth in the NCAA Division I playoffs.

But Mistri looks at it as only a temporary setback after being selected for the 32-team field two consecutive years. The Titans reached the semifinals two years ago and the quarterfinals last season.

Mistri knew this team would be borderline with a 12-8 record. The West Coast berths went to UCLA, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, San Diego, Washington and Portland.

But Mistri said he’s confident the Titans will be back in contention for a spot in college soccer’s upper echelon next year.

“We had a decent year, but we’re a long way from being satisfied,” Mistri said. “It’s not the kind of year we want with the kind of backing our program is getting now from the university. This wasn’t the kind of expectation I want for this program, and we’re poised to do better next year.”

Leading scorer Matt Bradbury, who had a team-leading nine goals and 26 points, has completed his eligibility, but most of the other top players return. That group includes freshman Joe DiGiamarino and sophomore Joey Franchino, who was chosen to the Mountain Pacific Sports Assn. all-star team this year along with Bradbury.

“We had the strongest group of freshmen we’ve ever had in terms of quality and quantity,” Mistri said.

“DiGiamarino had a tremendous freshman season, and we think he will continue to get better. If Joe had been able to come in with a more experienced group of players, he might have done even better this year.”

DiGiamarino was second to Bradbury in goals scored with seven and points with 24.

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Mistri also was pleased with the performances of several other players. Freshman Mike Forensich took over as the goalkeeper and performed well all season, finishing with 72 saves and a 1.66 goals-against average.

“Having a freshman do that well in goal is a big plus for us as we look to the future,” Mistri said.

Alfred Partida, Tom Helmer, Charlie Lynch, Alessio Smith and Jay Gomez all had good seasons. “I expect Partida to have a great senior season next year,” Mistri said.

Mistri also is hopeful that highly regarded defender Demian Brown, who missed the entire season because of a knee injury after playing regularly on the team that reached the final four, will make a comeback in 1996.

“He has the fifth year available if he wants to use it,” Mistri said. “The doctor is optimistic, but we’ll just have to see how it goes.”

It was the second time Brown had surgery on the same knee since he first injured it against Portland in 1994, and Brown missed the last half of the season.

The knee was re-injured in the third preseason practice session this fall, and Brown had to have additional arthroscopic surgery.

“He would be a tremendous addition to the team if he’s available next season,” Mistri said.

Fullerton also will gain Rigoberto Bustos, who sat out the year as a redshirt.

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Even though Fullerton didn’t reach the playoffs, Mistri liked the way the team improved during the season. Fullerton won four of its last five games, including victories against well-regarded Brown and San Diego.

“I think one more win somewhere along the way could have made a difference in getting into the playoffs,” Mistri said. “I think eight losses were too many for the committee to overlook even though we beat some good teams and finished well.”

Titan Notes

The NCAA champion baseball team will be honored Friday night at a dinner at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach. The players will receive their College World Series championship rings. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. following a reception at 6. . . . The Titans have signed two more baseball players during the early signing period, pitcher Tim Lilly and pitcher-outfielder Mike Hughes, both from Fresno City College.