Soccer Briefs

Thursday, December 10, 1998

Soccer Briefs

UCLA senior forward Seth George was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) men's soccer co-Player of the Year. George's second consecutive first-team All-MPSF honor was shared with Stanford's Simon Elliot. Six other Bruins were also chosen to the All-Conference team.

Joining George on the first team were junior midfielder Sasha Victorine and sophomore defender Carlos Bocanegra. On the second team were junior defender Steve Shak and sophomore goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Receiving honorable mention for the Bruins were midfielders Tom Poltl and Pete Vagenas, their third all-conference honors in their respective careers.

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George finished as one of the most prolific scorers in Bruin soccer history. George ended ranked fifth in career goals (49), sixth in career points (125) and first in career game-winning goals (20). He led this year's squad in all scoring categories, tallying 15 goals (eight game-winning goals) and eight assists for a total of 38 points.

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George finished third in voting for the 1998 Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Collegiate Soccer Player of the Year award. The award is given to the top American-born or naturalized player in NCAA soccer every season. George received 154 points and 24 first-place votes, finishing behind Duke senior Jay Heaps (228) and Indiana star Lazo Alavanja (195). George's third-place finish was the highest by a Bruin since Paul Caligiuri was runner-up in 1986.

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Victorine finished eighth in the MAC award voting. Victorine received 10 first-place votes and 87 points. Victorine was crucial in many of UCLA's victories this season, notching two goals and seven assists. He scored the game-winning goal versus Fresno State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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Ending their careers for UCLA were senior forwards Seth George, Chester Goodson and midfielders Tom Poltl and Junior Gonzalez. The talented quartet of seniors were a part of one NCAA championship team and two MPSF championships.

By Moin Salahuddin, Daily Bruin Contributor

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