Friday, November 20, 1998
Team guards title from Bulldogs
PREVIEW: Determined Bruins expect battle vs. Fresno State
despite injuries, earlier victory
By Scott Street
Daily Bruin Contributor
For the UCLA men’s soccer team, the road to the Final Four in
Richmond, Va., will begin with an unexpected limp.
The sixth-seeded Bruins (16-3-0) open defense of their 1997 NCAA
title Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Fresno State Bulldogs (11-5-5).
They may do so, however, without star forward Seth George
completely healthy.
The senior forward and National Player of the Year candidate
suffered an ankle sprain in practice this week.
George, who has scored 15 goals this season, is expected to play
and contribute, as is junior midfielder Sasha Victorine who also
sat out the final two regular season games.
"It’s definitely going to be a weakness for us (if George can’t
play)," said senior midfielder Tom Poltl.
"But we’re hoping to bring back Sasha Victorine and Shaun
Tsakiris. Hopefully, that will bring back some momentum for
us."
Despite the injuries, the Bruins will be heavily-favored against
a Fresno State team they defeated 3-0 earlier this season.
UCLA, however, is not taking the Bulldogs lightly.
"It helps (that we’ve played them) so we know what they’re
like," said head coach Sigi Schmid.
"On the other hand, they have a little more at stake because the
first time we won. It’s always easier to get up after a loss."
"We beat them earlier in the season, but you never know (what
will happen) when the playoffs come," added Poltl.
"It’s going to be a hard-fought game either way you look at
it."
With a season-ending loss to Washington that cost them a
fourth-consecutive MPSF tile, the Bruins hope to use their
first-round match to establish much-needed momentum in the
tournament.
"Momentum is important as we go into (the tournament)," said
Schmid.
"But I think it’s mostly a reflection right now of our training
attitude. If our training attitude is good then the momentum will
be there."
"The loss to Washington really boosted everyone up," Poltl said.
"Hopefully, we (will) get some momentum this weekend, but we’re
just concentrating on winning this game first."
The men’s soccer game is Sunday at 1 p.m. on the North Athletic
Field. Admission is $5 at the door for students.GENEVIEVE
LIANG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Soccer forward McKinley Tennyson, Jr. runs ahead of OSU
competition at the last regular season game.
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