Matadors Have Time for Bruises to Heal

Northridge players welcome a bye this weekend before opening Big Sky Conference play Sept. 25 at Eastern Washington.

A 71-14 nonconference loss at Kansas on Saturday left the Matadors battered and bruised. About 15 players sat out of practice or participated in light workouts Wednesday because of injuries sustained against Kansas.

Cornerback Chazz Moore did not practice because of a high ankle sprain. Several others nursed maladies either caused or aggravated by the artificial surface at Kansas’ Memorial Stadium.

“Most of it has to do with the turf,” interim Coach Jeff Kearin said.

All are expected to play against Eastern Washington. The bad news? Northridge will play again on artificial surface at Woodward Stadium at Eastern Washington.

Cornerback Mel Miller, who has missed the first two games, is likely to play against Eastern Washington, Kearin said.

Northridge will take a team photograph today at 2 p.m. at North Campus Stadium. Practice will follow.

The Matadors take off Friday and Saturday, then practice Sunday at 5.

*

Northridge’s loss at Kansas was the Matadors 11th consecutive loss in a road opener. It also was the Matadors’ ninth game against a Division I-A opponent during the 1990s. Northridge’s record against I-A opponents during the decade is 2-7.

Northridge is seeking two nonconference opponents for next season. Dick Dull, the Matadors’ athletic director, said the school will advertise the openings in NCAA News.

Northridge plays one more nonconference game this season, against Southern Methodist in the Cotton Bowl at Dallas on Nov. 13.

*

The Northridge men’s soccer team wraps up a four-city, six-game road trip by participating in the Vanderbilt tournament this weekend at Nashville, Tenn.

The Matadors (2-3), who have lost three in a row, play Vanderbilt on Friday and Marshall on Sunday.

Northridge returns home Wednesday against Azusa Pacific.

Northridge has been outscored, 8-2, in consecutive losses to San Diego, Santa Clara and San Francisco.

Federico Arroyo and Mike Preis are tied for ninth with 28 career goals for the Matadors. Arroyo’s 28 assists rank him fourth on the school’s career list.

Christian Perez will tie the Northridge career record by playing in his 38th game with his next start.

*

Northridge’s women’s soccer team is surging.

Freshman Gentry Green has scored two of the team’s four goals and the Matadors had won three in a row entering a game Wednesday night at Cal State Fullerton.

Green, from Canyon High, scored in a 1-0 victory over Fresno State last week and scored in a 2-0 victory over Air Force on Sunday.

The Matadors play at Santa Barbara on Sunday.

Northridge returns home Sept. 28 against The Master’s.

The Matadors begin Big Sky Conference play Oct. 1 at Portland State.