The Matadors (5-3-1) will wrap up their non-conference portion of the schedule this weekend when they hit the road to take on two local opponents. The Loyola Marymount Lions are first up on the schedule. Then, they will take on the defending national champion USC Trojans. Northridge is still in search of its 100th win in program history. After the weekend they will begin Big West Conference play against UC Santa Barbara.

Matador to watch: Freshman Nancy Avesyan, midfielder Avesyan ranks second among freshmen in the Big West Conference with seven points. She has scored two goals in the past four games. Aveyan also opened the season’s first two games with three assists.

Lions to watch

Senior Lauren Shanklin, forward: Shanklin leads the Lions on offense this season. Her four goals are not only tops on the team, but also accounts for a third of their total offensive output this year.

‘ Junior Allyssa Clark, goalkeeper: Clark is in her first full year as a starter in net for Loyola Marymount. She leads the West Coast Conference in saves with 46 and has also posted three shutouts, good for second place in the league.

Trojans to watch

Junior Marihelen Tomer, forward: Tomer is one of four Trojans with four goals this season and has four assists. She is second in the Pac-10 Conference with three game-winning goals.

Junior Kristin Olsen, Goalkeeper: Olsen has spearheaded the Trojan defense that has allowed only seven goals in nine games this season. She currently holds a .64 goals-against average, while making 18 saves and posting two shutouts.