UCLA misses opportunity to vault to top of national poll

Published: Monday, October 31, 1994

Men's soccer splits

weekend matches

with Midwest sides

By Tim Costner

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Although No. 1 Indiana will undoubtedly fall in the national rankings after the UCLA adidas/MetLife Classic, it was Cal State Fullerton that bumped the Hoosiers from the top spot.

And while the Titans stole the limelight from the Bruins, the tournament was still somewhat of a testament to West Coast soccer.

"I would rather had it have been us to give them the wake-up call," Schmid said. "I've always been a big contender that when you look at teams No. 5 through 15 on the West, we're a much stronger region. I've always said this is the toughest region to play in because you've got to be on your toes. I think West Coast soccer is the strongest region top-to-bottom."

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As Fullerton stunned Indiana in overtime, one of the biggest stories of the game was back-up keeper Justin Johnson, who came on in the 66th minute after starting goalie Mike Kornock was sent off when he blocked a shot with his hands outside of the goal box.

Johnson, a redshirt junior, answered the call valiantly by holding the Hoosiers scoreless for the remainder of regulation and through overtime.

"I just had to come in and do the job," Johnston said. "That's what I've been waiting for all season. I've been ready for two years. It feels really good because I've waited for this chance a while."

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For the Hoosiers, Friday's game was one of the rare occasions that they didn't take advantage of their opportunities. With Kornock's ejection, Indiana was in a position to play the rest of the game a man up, but ended up evening the sides as Hoosier midfielder Craig Ginsberg acquired his second yellow of the game in the 83rd minute.

"It was just one of those games," Indiana head coach Jerry Yeagley said. "We had it there to win we had them down to 10 players with plenty of time to go. But (Friday) we found a way not to win. That's not like our team. We usually find a way to win. I was disappointed with that, but I was pleased with the effort. I credit Fullerton they stayed in there and never quit."

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Titan striker Eddie Soto was instrumental in Fullerton's success this weekend scoring a game-winning goal against Indiana and assisting on the equalizer, and scoring an equalizer against Notre Dame and assisting on the final equalizer.

"We know that we can play with anybody," Soto said. "And Friday we proved it by beating the number one team. We also did it last year throughout the playoffs. I hope they take that into consideration when they consider us for a bid to the playoffs."

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UCLA midfielder Eddie Lewis had surgery on Friday to insert a small metal plate just below his right eye.

"Eddie had surgery, so when he gets looked at on Wednesday it becomes a week-to-week type of thing," UCLA head coach Sigi Schmid said. "The optimistic hope is that he could be ready to play by the time we get into league playoffs (in two weeks). Pessimistically, maybe a week later. Actually the surgery is going to be a benefit because the plate will make (the bone) stronger."

Defender Adam Frye, who has been out with a knee injury, has improved to day-to-day status, and should return to the lineup next weekend.