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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.

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