Shutout, injuries end title hopes

Published: Monday, November 30, 1998

Monday, November 30, 1998

M.SOCCER: Bruin offense can't capitalize on early chances

to score in loss to Creighton

By Scott Street

Daily Bruin Contributor

Not even home cooking over Thanksgiving could cure the UCLA men's soccer team.

The defending national champion and injury-riddled Bruins (17-4) were eliminated from the NCAA tournament, 2-0, by the Creighton Bluejays in front of 1,825 at UCLA's North Athletic Field.

It was the second shutout of the Bruins this season, with both losses coming on their home field. More importantly, the loss ended UCLA's run toward a fourth national title.

The Bruins dominated the game early but could not find the net. In only the sixth minute, sophomore forward McKinley Tennyson, Jr. took a pass from junior midfielder Sasha Victorine but slipped on the wet turf in the box.

Four minutes later, junior forward Martin Bruno hit freshman forward Ryan Futagaki streaking down the left side of the field but Futagaki's shot was deflected back at him. He then headed the ball into the box, where it was cleared by a Creighton defender.

The missed opportunities came back to haunt UCLA, as Creighton scored on a free kick from star forward Richard Mulrooney, which Peter Henning headed past UCLA goalie Nick Rimando.

"We had a lot of momentum in the first 10 minutes," said senior midfielder Tom Poltl. "But when they scored that goal everyone kind of got back on their heels."

"I don't think we attacked as well (after that) and gave them a little bit of space in the midfield."

The Bruin midfield, dominant in their win over Indiana a month ago, could not control the Bluejays and appeared tentative despite the early scoring chances.

Already shorthanded by injuries to senior forward Seth George and midfielders Victorine and Shaun Tsakiris, the Bruins were further hampered by an ankle injury to junior midfielder Pete Vagenas and flu symptoms which struck midfielder Nick Paneno.

Although Paneno was able to contribute minutes, Vagenas was unable to come off of the bench Sunday. Senior Junior Gonzalez was also unable to come off the bench, further depleting the Bruin midfield.

"The first fifteen minutes or so we were really on top of them," said head coach Sigi Schmid.

"The game of soccer is one where each team is going to have their moments, and you have to score when you have your moments."

A defensive battle then turned in the 60th minute when Brian Mullan tapped a pass from Mulrooney by Rimando to provide an extra margin of victory.

UCLA would have several opportunities to mount a comeback. But their best chance slipped away in the 78th minute when Tennyson took a loose ball in the box and fired just wide of the right post.

The pressure at the end of the game, though intense, was not enough to save the Bruins' season.

"We shouldn't have to be down two goals to play with intensity," Schmid said. "But I was pleased with our intensity (at the beginning of the game). I can't fault us in terms of battling."

A field soaked by rain Saturday and questionable officiating further hindered the Bruins' comeback.

"I thought the refereeing was a little bit suspect," Schmid added. "The second goal came when substitutions were still being made, and the play was still going."

"That didn't cost the game but there were some fouls that should have been called."

Creighton (15-3-2) moves on to the national quarterfinals, where they will face the Maryland Terrapins. For the Bluejays, who have not hosted an NCAA tournament game since 1995, the task of playing at UCLA was not overly daunting.

"We've been on the road for eight straight NCAA games," said Creighton coach Bret Simon. "That has helped these players get used to playing in the lion's den and be able to keep their composure."

Along with ending UCLA's season, the Bluejays ended the collegiate careers of George, Poltl, Gonzalez and Chester Goodson, just two games shy of a return to the Final Four.

"I wanted to be 100 percent and have some fun," said George, still suffering from an ankle injury. "Last year was so much fun, and to go out like this is tragic."

"It wasn't the team we've been playing with all year. Everything was a little bit off today."

"(The injuries) ruined our momentum," said George. "That took a lot of steam out of us."

"When you look at your top 14 players and five are unable to play or are injured, that hurts your depth," said Schmid.

"We were hoping if we could sneak another week in we could get everyone healthy next week, but unfortunately we couldn't."

The question now lingers as to which of the younger Bruins will replace George's scoring ability and offensive prowess and Poltl's leadership as they prepare for next season.

"It's going to be a lot of hard work to get back to where we were in '97," said sophomore defender Carlos Bocanegra. "We only lose four guys but they're four really solid players."

"We just have to prepare ourselves in the off-season," said Tennyson. "I think if we work hard in the off-season, the injuries will go away, and we can have another productive season and make another title run."MICHAEL ROSS WACHT/Daily Bruin Senior Staff

UCLA forward Martin Bruno and Creighton defender David Wright lunge for the ball in the Bruins' home loss in Sunday's NCAA men's soccer tournament game.

BAHMAN FARAHDEL/Daily Bruin

Creighton goalkeeper Tom Zawislan denies UCLA's offense a goal in the first half. Zawislan shut out the Bruins 2-0.

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