CSUN Makes New Bid for Soccer Title

Cal State Northridge, which has won six consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Assn. soccer championships, is no stranger to playoff competition. Neither is Cal State Hayward, the Matadors’ opponent tonight at 7:30 in the West regional final.

Hayward has appeared in the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. Division II playoffs 10 times and five of the past eight seasons. The Pioneers defeated Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2-1, in first-round West regional action last week.

Fifth-ranked Northridge, which has lost in the national championship match the past two seasons, received a bye into tonight’s match at North Campus Stadium. The Matadors (10-4-4) last played Hayward in a first-round regional match last season, defeating the Pioneers, 2-1.

Hayward, ranked 12th, won the Northern California Athletic Conference title for the second year in a row. The Pioneers (16-5-1) are led in scoring by Robert Young, a sophomore forward who has 10 goals and three assists.

Jim Hofferber, a junior forward, leads Northridge in scoring with seven goals and five assists, followed by Scott Piri, a sophomore halfback who has five goals and four assists.

CSUN’s defense, its strong suit all season, will probably be shorthanded. Andy Torres, a Matador co-captain and a first-team All-CCAA selection as midfielder, injured his left knee and is not expected to play.