Payday Looms

The Cal State Northridge women’s soccer team has been shown the money. The Matadors must prove they deserve it.

Northridge, heading into its third season, is in the midst of its 10-week spring practice, still stinging from last season’s 4-15-1 record.

Coach Brian Wiesner is aware the expectations for his team have increased with its scholarship funds.

The program had the equivalent of three scholarships, or $23,622, to give to recruits in 1995-96. This fall, that figure will rise to 10 scholarships worth about $83,700.

The maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA is 12.

By comparison, the Matador men’s soccer team, in its 19th year, has a little more than $30,000 in scholarship funding.

In two seasons as a Division I independent, Wiesner’s teams are 12-24-4. Last year, Northridge was outscored, 53-19.

The Matadors are members of the Big Sky Conference and are determined to raise their level of play.

“We’re the school that has the opportunity to get the Big Sky some respect,” said Wiesner, whose team joins Montana, Sacramento State, Portland State, Weber State and Northern Arizona in the first-year circuit.

“Because of our location we have a responsibility to do well against the UCLAs, the [Cal State] Fullertons, the USCs. That’s the pressure we’ve taken on.”

Ten starters from last year’s team are participating in spring drills, which conclude May 16.

In addition to its tough schedule last season, Northridge’s sideline at times resembled a triage unit. But midfielder Marilyn Huschka is making strong progress from knee surgery and defender Kristi Tynan has recovered from a broken collarbone.

Both are junior transfers from junior colleges and were among the team’s best players before being injured.

Wiesner expects to have 35 to 40 players try out for the team in August, creating unprecedented depth and competition for starting roles.

“We played some good soccer in our last three or four games,” Wiesner said. “Now we want to win the conference title and take a crack at the [NCAA] tournament.”