Wednesday, November 25, 1998
UCLA to jostle with Creighton
PREVIEW: Bruins hope to extend home-field advantage through
another victory against Bluejays
By Moin Salahuddin
Daily Bruin Contributor
The defending national champion UCLA men’s soccer team is only
two wins away from the Final Four.
The Bruins (17-3), who defeated Fresno State 2-1 in the first
round of the NCAA Tournament, will host the Creighton Bluejays
(15-3-2) in second round action this Sunday at the North Athletic
Field.
"Creighton is a good team," UCLA head coach Sigi Schmid said.
"Their style of play is much more compatible with ours, and should
provide for an entertaining game."
The No. 5 Bruins will try to use home-field advantage and
experience to defeat the Bluejays. UCLA has won 31 of its last 32
home matches. The team also won the only previous meeting with
Creighton, 6-0 in 1991.
Leading the Bluejays is Hermann Trophy finalist Richard
Mulrooney. Mulrooney, a senior midfielder, scored two goals in
Creighton’s first round defeat over Saint Louis. The Bluejays are
43-2-2 all-time when Mulrooney scores.
UCLA will combat Creighton’s potent offense with one of their
own. Led by senior striker Seth George (38 points), the Bruins have
averaged nearly three goals per match. Junior Sasha Victorine has
contributed seven assists, along with the game-winning goal in
UCLA’s first round victory over Fresno State.
"It’s just a matter of us to use and take advantage of what we
have," Schmid said. "We have speed up front and we have the ability
to attack quickly when the opportunities present themselves."
On defense, UCLA is led by sophomore goalkeeper Nick Rimando and
defenders Steve Shak and Ryan Lee.
If the Bruins are able to defeat the Bluejays, the possibility
of hosting a third round game is likely. UCLA is the highest
remaining seed left in their bracket.
"Duke losing (to Jacksonville) was certainly an upset," Schmid
said. "The opportunity of being at home in the third round should
serve as motivation for us to play even harder (on Sunday)."DERRICK
KUDO/Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Tom Poltl and Fresno State midfielder Noah Delgado fight for the
ball in a game
earlier this season.
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