UCLA misses opportunity to vault to top of national poll

UCLA misses opportunity to vault to top of national poll

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."

* * *

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."

* * *

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."

* * *

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."

* * *

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.