Northridge’s Playoff Shot a Longshot

A month ago, Cal State Northridge was in sole possession of first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. standings. But after losing six of their past eight games, the Matadors need help to qualify for the CCAA postseason tournament.

The top four teams earn berths, and, with two games left in the regular season, Northridge (11-14, 6-6 in CCAA play) is in fifth place, one game behind Cal State Los Angeles and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (both 7-5).

Cal State Bakersfield (22-3, 10-2) and UC Riverside (18-7, 8-4) already have qualified.

Even if Northridge defeats San Luis Obispo on Friday and Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, San Luis Obispo would have to lose to Cal State L. A. on Saturday or Cal State L. A. would have to lose its games to Bakersfield on Friday and San Luis Obispo on Saturday for the Matadors to qualify.

If Northridge wins both games and Cal State L. A. beats Bakersfield but loses to San Luis Obispo, the Matadors, San Luis Obispo and Cal State L. A. would tie for third with 8-6 records.

Because each team would have 2-2 records against the other two, and 2-2 records against the other teams in the tournament (Bakersfield and Riverside), the tie would be broken by coin flips.

If Northridge wins Friday and loses Saturday, the Matadors could qualify for the tournament only if Cal State L. A. beats San Luis Obispo, giving the Matadors and Mustangs 7-7 records (Cal State L. A. would be no worse than 8-6). Northridge would advance because of its 2-0 record against San Luis Obispo.

If Cal State L. A. loses to Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo in this scenario, the Golden Eagles and Mustangs would be in the tournament and Northridge would be out. Northridge and Cal State L. A. would each be 7-7, but the Golden Eagles would advance on the basis of their 2-0 record against the Matadors.

If Northridge loses and Cal State L. A. wins Friday, the Matadors are out of the tournament.

If Northridge loses Friday but wins Saturday, Cal State L. A. would have to lose both its games and Cal State Dominguez Hills (5-7 in CCAA play) would have to win its final two against Cal Poly Pomona and Riverside in order for the Matadors to advance to the tournament on the tiebreaker.

The winner of the CCAA tournament automatically qualifies for the NCAA Division II playoffs.