The Matadors return home for a pair of games to finish off their 2008 regular season. Today they host UC Riverside while Sunday they wrap up the season as they welcome Cal State Fullerton. Despite a winless last weekend, Northridge is still in good position to reach the Big West Conference playoffs. CSUN is undefeated this year at Matador Field and both the Highlanders and Titans are cellar dwellers of the Big West. If CSUN wins both games, the only way they will miss the playoffs is if their main challenger for the last bid, UC Irvine, ends up beating both Cal Poly and the Gauchos on the road. That’s a tough task. Things look bright for Northridge.

Matadors

Last Game: Lost 5-0 @ 49ers
Goals leader: Nancy Avesyan and Farryn Townley (4)
Assists leader: Kristal Phillips (4)

Matador to watch:
Senior Tryna Tafoya, midfielder

Tafoya is the senior captain for the Matadors and entering her last weekend playing soccer for Northridge. You can bet that she’s ready to lead her squad into the Big West playoffs. She has had a very successful Matador career, ranking in the school’s all-time top 10 in assists and total points. Will her leadership lift Northridge to a post-season berth?

VS. UC Riverside Highlanders
Series Record: Matadors lead 4-3-0
Last Meeting: Matadors 2, Highlanders 0 (2007)

Today at 2:30 p.m.

Highlander to watch:
Senior Tessa Lennala, forward

The reigning Big West Offensive Player of the Year and last week’s Big West Player of the Week will take the pitch for the last-place Highlanders in hopes of ending their season on a winning note. Lennala leads the conference with 23 total points and nine goals. She is an offensive juggernaut who will look to give the Matador defensive fits.

VS. Cal State Fullerton Titans
Series Record: Titans lead 10-1
Last Meeting: Titans 3, Matadors 0 (2007)

Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Titan to watch:
Senior Jenae Gibbens, defender

Gibbens is a senior leader on the Titans and has been named Big West Player of the Week once this season. After winning the Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, she leads the struggling Titans with five assists in 2008. She has also added three goals, all of which have been registered as game-winners.

What did he say?

Keith West, Head Coach on reaching the playoffs:

‘That’s the goal right now. It’s never easy but if we stick to our game plan and execute like we should, then we feel like we have a great chance to do it.’