Northridge Didn’t Draw a Crowd

Cal State Northridge’s final home football game of the season Saturday against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo drew a season-low 1,915 at North Campus Stadium. It was the lowest turnout for a Northridge home game since a 1995 game against Western New Mexico that drew 1,431.

Granted, cold weather might have contributed to the low turnout. But the size of the crowd was paltry compared to those Northridge typically attracts for Big Sky Conference opponents Montana, Northern Arizona and Cal State Sacramento.

Moreover, Northridge’s home attendance has dipped in its penultimate season at North Campus.

The Matadors might have to get used to playing before smaller crowds. Northridge will leave the Big Sky and compete as an independent in football next season. Northridge is scheduled to play at Cal Poly next season and the longtime rivalry likely will resume on an annual basis.

Northridge probably will begin playing home games at Pierce College in 2002.

*

Travis Campbell continues to master the art of the interception.

Campbell’s two interceptions against Cal Poly raised his season total to five, the most by a Matador in a season since Joseph Vaughn tied a school record with nine in 1994.

Campbell, a sophomore free safety from Westlake High, is on pace to break the school career record of 15 set by Danny Garrett from 1975-76. Campbell had nine interceptions as a junior at Westlake. This season he has had two interceptions nullified by penalties.

Campbell returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown against Southwest Texas State. Vaughn holds the career record with four interception returns for touchdowns.

*

Pete Cassidy wasn’t the only familiar face on the sidelines for Northridge’s exhibition game Monday night against the California All-Stars.

Cassidy, 66, longtime coach of Northridge, was joined on the bench by former Matador player and assistant Andre Chevalier. On the floor were brothers Derrick and Keith Higgins. Derrick led the All-Stars with 25 points.

Chevalier, Northridge’s career leader in scoring and assists, echoed preseason prognostications about Northridge, predicted to win the Big Sky this season.

“I see 10 or 11 guys they have coming back, so they have a huge edge,” Chevalier said. “You can see they have shooters. The only place I see them lacking a little is in the post. If they don’t let down, they’ll do OK.”

*

The men’s swimming and diving teams will compete in a nonconference meet this weekend at Hawaii.

The men are coming off a 175-48 victory over La Verne at Pepperdine on Nov. 10 in which Sean Winchell, Kazutoshi Isa, Cameron Fox and Eric Pritchett placed first in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:42.00.

Colin Chih won the 1000 freestyle in 19:26.89.

The women defeated La Verne, 112-27. Stephanie Shapiro was second in the 200 fly in 2:14.22 and the 500 free in 5:20.45.

*

The Matadors’ men’s golf team closed the season last weekend with a third-place finish in the Loyola Marymount tournament at Tierra Rejada Golf Club in Moorpark.

Junior Lance Dombroski finished tied for first with a seven-over-par 223. Darkness prevented a sudden-death playoff.

Sophomore Scott Bashin finished 10th with a 236.