Bruins hope to rebound from season’s second loss

Friday, October 23, 1998

Bruins hope to rebound from season’s second loss

M.SOCCER: UCLA will battle a Sacramento team which has been shut
out in its last seven games

By Moin Salahuddin

Daily Bruin Contributor

Could a loss in their last game be a good sign for the No. 5
UCLA men’s soccer team?

If so, the Bruins may likely defeat the Sacramento State Hornets
tomorrow and go on to defend their national title.

UCLA (10-2, 3-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) lost
to Cal State Fullerton last week for their second loss of the
season. During last season, the Bruins also had their second loss
of the season to the same Fullerton squad. However, after that
second loss, UCLA went undefeated and captured the coveted NCAA
Championship.

The Bruins hope that this season will repeat in the same manner
as last season, with the outmanned Hornets as their next
opponent.

Sacramento State (0-10-1, 0-4) has been struggling all season
long, amassing only a tie in 11 matches. The Hornets have
particularly been deplorable in their offense, where they have been
shut out in their last seven matches. UCLA’s stingy defense and the
Hornets’ lackluster offense should lead the Bruins to victory.

In fact, the Hornets have allowed 34 goals this season while
only scoring six. Conversely, UCLA has scored 34 goals themselves
and held the opposition to a paltry six.

In their three previous meetings, the Bruins have demolished
Sacramento State, winning their last meeting 6-1 last season. In
that match, senior Seth George scored UCLA’s first two goals while
junior Sasha Victorine had two assists.

The Hornets have few weapons on either sides of the field, with
forward Fabiano Rivero being the only Hornets player with more than
one goal this season. Rivero has scored three goals for a total of
seven points.

The Bruins’ leading scorer continues to be George, who has
tallied 112 points in his career.

On defense, Hornets goalkeeper Ryan Duncan has made 50 saves
this season. His goals-against-average (GAA) is 2.84. However,
UCLA’s keeper Nick Rimando sports a GAA near 0.50 per game.

However, the defending national champion Bruins have been
vulnerable as of late, allowing three goals in their last two
matches to UC Irvine and Fullerton.

The Bruins will be seeking redemption from their loss to Cal
State Fullerton, which does not bode well for the hapless Hornets.
If UCLA can use their domineering offense and powerful defense
well, they should easily subdue the Sacramento State Hornets.

The Bruins will next participate in their own tournament, the
Pacific Soccer Classic. Along with UCLA, the host, perennial
national power Indiana, Loyola Marymount and St. Mary’s College
will compete.

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