From the Bench... Oct. 29, 2002 – Fullerton, Calif.
Coach Al Mistri:
"Our guys did a remarkable job against Indiana. It was pretty astonishing
the way the freshmen like Eugene Brooks, Brendan Dugan and Mitch Wagner
stepped up in the most important game of their lives. And Fouzi Elmojahid
and Brent Whitfield. We had to rely on young people to play well and they
did.
"We played a wonderful second half. The game could have ended sooner
on Jason Ashurst's shot off the cross bar. That match should go a long
way to boosting the confidence of our guys.
"We are now embarking on the most difficult part of the schedule.
We've played four matches in a row without a loss. But I've always told
the team this year to look ahead, not behind. And now that is more meaningful
than ever. We have six games left, three at home and three on the road.
Our goal always has been to win the Big West Conference championship.
The team we're playing with now is not the one we had on the drawing board,
but we have an excellent chance to be the Big West champions.
"Cal State Northridge will provide a very difficult match. They play
a very good possession style of game. Their backs have been to the wall
in regards to the Big West standings since losing to UC Irvine and they
are doing everything they can to get out of the hole, a feeling we know
well. They have beaten Cal, the No. 2 team in our region, and tied LMU
and UC Santa Barbara. They have two excellent strikers who we must contain.
I've always thought that Terry Davila was an oustanding young coach and
he is proving it again this season."
"Regarding injuries, Brooks and Wagner are doubtful for this match.
It's our great desire that they be available."
