Soccer Notebook

Wednesday, October 15, 1997

Soccer Notebook

By Vytas Mazeika

Daily Bruin Staff

Carlos Bocanegra, a true freshman and starting defenseman for
the Bruins, is making his presence felt on the field for the No.
2-ranked team. With the departure of Tahj Jakins, the No. 1 pick by
the Colorado Rapids in the Major League Soccer draft, UCLA needed a
strong defender to step in and contribute immediately if the Bruins
were to entertain any title hopes.

Coming into UCLA, Bocanegra already had quite a resume, with
appearances on the U.S. Under-18 National Team and varsity letters
in three sports (soccer, football and track and field). As a Bruin,
Bocanegra’s defensive blanket has been so effective that when UCLA
squared off against Vanderbilt’s Tony Kuhn, who last season scored
58 points or the equivalent of 29 goals, not only did Bocanegra
hold him scoreless, but he also held him without a shot en route to
a 3-0 UCLA victory.

Offensively, Bocanegra has been just as productive. Through
Tuesday, he had scored four goals and was tied with junior forward
Tom Poltl for second best on the team. With the Bruins now enjoying
a five-game shutout streak, the question pops up as to whether
Bocanegra cherishes more the glory of scoring or the success of the
defense.

"I take more pride in the shutouts," Bocanegra said. "The guys
up front score enough."

Although Bocanegra is only a true freshman, he already exhibits
qualities which in time will only make him a better player – or at
least the 1997 Freshman of the Year.

* * *

UCLA head coach Sigi Schmid will reach the 300-win plateau with
only six more victories. In 18 seasons, Schmid has amassed a
294-58-33 record. If UCLA wins the remainder of its games, the home
match on Nov. 9 against UC Santa Barbara could be Schmid’s 300th
victory.

* * *

In a brother-versus-brother match-up, UCLA senior forward Nick
Theslof will face off against UC Irvine’s sophomore midfielder
Tyler Theslof on Sunday.

The game at UC Irvine marks the first time the Bruins have
visited the Anteaters since a 4-3 loss in 1994, which happens to be
the last Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) loss suffered by
the Bruins. Since that loss, UCLA has racked up 20 straight MPSF
wins – including a 6-0 home victory over UC Irvine at home.

* * *

Junior midfielder Tom Poltl scored two goals in UCLA’s most
recent matches against University San Diego and Cal State
Northridge. This scoring outburst brings his season total of goals
to four.

In the previous 10 games Poltl had failed to breach the goalies’
defenses. Then again, it is not the first time he has scored more
than one goal in a single game.

In 1995, he did it against UNLV and, in 1996, he repeated the
feat against San Diego State.

In his career, Poltl has 11 goals in 23 games started. He has
scored eight of the 11 goals in only four games, while the other
three goals have been scattered throughout 19 games.

* * *

UCLA finishes its road schedule after visits to Cal State
Fullerton and UC Irvine this weekend. The Bruins will then return
home for matches against Cal State Los Angeles (Oct. 26) and UC
Santa Barbara (Nov. 9).

In between those matches, the Bruins will host the UCLA
Tournament, in which the Bruins will play Massachusetts (Oct. 31)
and finish up with Duke (Nov. 1). Duke, a team from the powerhouse
Atlantic Coast Conference, could arguably provide UCLA with its
toughest challenge before both the MPSF and NCAA playoffs begin in
November.