CSUN to Play Alumni in Tuneup for Soccer Playoff

The Cal State Northridge soccer team, ranked No. 1 in Division II, will tune up for next week’s NCAA quarterfinal playoff game with an exhibition against a CSUN alumni team at 11 this morning on the campus soccer field just north of the school gym.

CSUN (17-1-1), which has won four consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Assn. championships, has a first-round bye and will play next week against the winner of the game between two-time defending national champion Seattle Pacific and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which is the CCAA runner-up.

CSUN Coach Marwan Ass’ad said it was wise for his team to play a game because the Matadors suffered their only loss of the season--a 3-1 loss to Westmont--after a 10-day layoff.

“We don’t want to repeat what happened when we came out flat,” Ass’ad said. “This is a workout and a chance for the players to keep in touch with their aggressiveness.”

The alumni squad includes members of CSUN’s 1986 team, including All-American John Tronson, Mike McAndrew and Frank Cubillos. Ass’ad and CSUN assistant Scott Murray also will play for the alumni.