CSUN Beckons Ass’ad

Paul Bubb, athletic director at Cal State Northridge, said Monday he wants Marwan Ass’ad to return as men’s soccer coach next season.

Ass’ad, who just completed his 15th season with the Matadors, has built a loyal following of local athletes and fans. He has had conflicts with the athletic department this year while trying to keep his team from being canceled, but Bubb said, “I want him. I think the team finished extremely strong.”

The Matadors finished 7-11-1 despite the program being canceled during the summer and reinstated in August. School President Blenda Wilson on Monday approved the return of soccer for the 1998 season.

Ass’ad’s career record is 173-86-25.

BASKETBALL

Top choice: Northridge’s Carl Holmes was selected Big Sky Conference men’s player of the week after scoring 41 points in games against Ohio State and Ohio.

Holmes, a freshman from Harrisburg, Ore., scored 21 points against Ohio State and 20 against Ohio, his first start. The 6-foot-1 guard made 15 of 24 field-goal attempts (62.5%) in the two games.

Making the cut: Viveca Lof, freshman center on the Northridge (3-6) women’s team, was selected to the all-tournament team at the Boise State tournament. Lof, from Norrkoping, Sweden, scored 29 points in two games, including 21 in Northridge’s 71-58 victory over Virginia Commonwealth in the consolation championship game.

VOLLEYBALL

New Matador: Craig Donen, a 6-4 junior outside hitter from Canada has committed to Northridgeand will be eligibile to play this season.