Wiesner’s Job Is Secure . . . for Now

After guiding his team to a 6-31-1 record the past two seasons, Cal State Northridge women’s soccer Coach Brian Wiesner has done himself no favors in terms of job security.

But neither Wiesner nor Matador Athletic Director Paul Bubb has given an indication the third-year coach will be fired.

“I have not spoken to Brian about him not coming back here,” Bubb said Wednesday. “To be honest I’m not sure if he’s in a middle year or the last year of his contract.”

Wiesner said he has a multiyear contract “with time left” on it and he expects to discuss his program with Bubb in the near future.

“I understand why we’re not further along than we are but that doesn’t make me feel better,” Wiesner said.

Bubb said his goal is to have the Matadors in contention for the Big Sky Conference title by 1999. When evaluating the 1997 season, he will take into consideration the Matadors’ high injury rate the past two years and the absence of touted goalkeeper recruit Nikki Thomas. Thomas was Wiesner’s top recruit but backed out of her scholarship in August.

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Take II: Although Cal State Northridge moved up to Division I in 1990, the Matadors still hold a prominent place in Division II sports.

The Matadors rank third all-time in Division II team championships with 18 men’s titles, third with 12 women’s titles, and third in men’s individual titles with 101. They rank second in women’s individual titles with 62.

USC leads in Division I men’s titles with 68 team and 275 individual championships. UCLA is second with 61 team titles and fifth with 156 individual titles.

Stanford leads in Division I women’s titles with 22 and with 114 individual championships.

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Transfer of power: The Moorpark College women’s soccer team has won four Western State Conference titles in its eight seasons and until last season, was the region’s power.

But with the emergence of a competing program at Ventura, which won the 1996 title in its first season, Moorpark has been shoved aside.

The Raiders narrowly missed the playoffs last year and aren’t likely to qualify this season. Friday, they play at Ventura and a Moorpark loss could clinch a second WSC title for the Pirates.

First-year Moorpark Coach Jen Cowper said her team was “scared” in a 4-0 loss to Ventura on Oct. 7.

“We’d like to get to their level but what do you do when they’re getting all the best players?” Cowper said.

Hired days before the season began, Cowper admits she is at a recruiting disadvantage against Ventura Coach Steve Hoffman, who is widely known for his work in California’s Youth Soccer Assn. and Olympic Development program.

“He has so much exposure and I’m still learning which [high] schools I can and can’t recruit from,” Cowper said. “But he has [20] quality athletes and the lower 11 aren’t getting a lot of playing time. Hopefully they can filter over here and be superstars.”

BASKETBALL

Globetrotter: Former Chatsworth High and Ventura College basketball player Eddie Miller is taking a recruiting visit to Washington State next weekend.