Shot at playoffs slips by Bruins
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 27, 1996 9:00 p.m.
Monday, October 28, 1996
W. SOCCER:
All of Cal’s goals scored in overtime as UCLA offense sputtersBy
Brad Zucker
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
For the second time in less than a week, a freshman opponent
shot a hole through UCLA’s playoff chances. This time, the result
was deadly.
California’s (11-3-1, 4-2 Pac-10) freshman forward Amy Balavac
saved up two goals for the two overtime periods in Sunday
afternoon’s contest against the UCLA women’s soccer team at Witter
Field in Berkeley. And when Balavac knocked the ball through for
the second time, she effectively knocked the Bruins out of playoff
contention.
UCLA (9-6-1, 3-2 Pac-10) entered the game ranked 17th in the
nation despite suffering a tough loss to the USC Trojans last
Wednesday, a game in which the Bruins displayed a lack of
intensity.
On Sunday, though, UCLA battled the Golden Bears to a stalemate
throughout regulation. And when Balavac headed in the first goal of
the contest in the 98th minute, the Bruins answered back with a
breakaway score by sophomore Lari Kirmidjian off an assist from
Traci Arkenberg.
Four minutes later, however, Balavac blasted in the game-winner
on a rebound of a shot by teammate Alisha Lopez. The 2-1 victory
kept the Bears’ long-shot hope for a NCAA tournament bid alive.
The two overtime scores overshadowed an otherwise impressive
performance by Bruin freshman goalkeeper Lindsay Culp, who finished
the game with 12 saves. The rookie player had to deal with constant
pressure, as UCLA was outshot 22-17 and had to deal with 11 corner
kicks.
The Bruins were frustrated on the offensive side of the ball as
well. For once, Arkenberg was unable to find the back of the net,
as the team scoring leader came up short on all of her eight
shots.
The Bruins have two Pac-10 contests remaining, but it will take
a major miracle for Joy Fawcett’s team to capture the title. Both
USC and Cal would have to lose one of their remaining games, while
the top-ranked Stanford Cardinal would have to lose twice.
Scott Quintard/ASUCLA Photography
Traci Arkenberg
