Monday, December 1, 1997
A day later, Bruins face veteran Huskies in second-round
match
SOCCER: Contest was delayed because of the rain; Washington team
retained all but one starter
By Vytas Mazeika
Daily Bruin Staff
The men’s soccer team will have to wait one more day before its
fate is determined.
In the interest of both teams, game officials made the decision
to postpone yesterday’s second-round NCAA playoff match between the
Bruins and the Washington Huskies to 11:30 a.m. today. Both coaches
agreed with the decision and must now scramble to make sure their
team is physically and mentally ready for today’s game.
The fifth-seeded Bruins (18-2) have their work cut out for them
against a Washington team that lost only one starter from last
year’s squad. The experienced Huskies (15-2-2) defeated Mountain
Pacific Sports Federation foe Stanford, 2-1, in double overtime in
the first round of the NCAA playoffs – avenging a regular season
loss to the Cardinal.
The Bruins reached the second round with a 3-0 victory over
Santa Clara. Before that game, UCLA had lost two straight NCAA
playoff games – including a second-round loss to Santa Clara in
1995.
Junior midfielder Tom Poltl made his return to the field for the
Bruins against the Broncos. Poltl had missed the last three games
because of a badly sprained ankle. Poltl adds a little more
stability and leadership to the Bruin midfield.
The Huskies have a lineup that includes three players who have
scored 20 or more points – Jason Boyce (15 goals, 32 points), Ian
Russell (9, 26) and Rees Bettinger (6, 20). But it is their defense
that poses the biggest problem. Senior goalkeeper Bill May leads
the nation with a .50 goals against average, and the Huskies have
only allowed 10 goals all year.
In today’s game at Spaulding Field, the 10th installment in the
Bruin-Husky rivalry, memories may arise from last year’s 3-1
Washington victory in Seattle. Nevertheless, UCLA still holds a
decisive 6-2-1 all-time advantage against Washington.
* * *
The regular-season awards for the MPSF are out, and UCLA head
coach Sigi Schmid became Pacific Division Coach of the Year for the
third straight year. Schmid, who won his 300th game this year, has
a 301-59-33 career record.
Eleven Bruins made the Pacific Division All-Federation team –
including an MPSF record six on the first team.
On the first team are defenders Carlos Bocanegra, Kevin Coye and
Josh Keller; forwards Seth George and Nick Theslof, and midfielder
Pete Vagenas.
Midfielders Nick Paneno and Tom Poltl; goalkeepers Matt Reis and
Nick Rimando, and defender Steve Shak received honorable
mentions.
Sheldon Thomas, of the California State University, Fullerton,
was named the Pacific Division Player of the Year for the second
straight year, while Jason Boyce of Washington earned Mountain
Division Player of the Year. Stanford head coach Bobby Clark was
named the Mountain Division Coach of the Year.