'Cavs Fall To UCLA In NCAA Quarterfinal Match, 2-0

Story Links

Dec. 4, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia Cavaliers and UCLA Bruins metone another for the second time this season on a beautiful fall afternoonat Klockner Stadium. The two teams faced one another earlier this seasonon October 31st in Westwood, California when the squads competed in thechampionship game of the Pacific Soccer Classic, which was hosted by UCLA.The Bruins came away with a 2-0 victory in that meeting. Virginia and UCLAlocked horns once again this afternoon in a rematch with even higher stakesthan what was played for in the regular season tournament. This time, thewinner would advance to the College Cup in Charlotte, N.C. as one of fourteams to participate in the NCAA Men’s Division I Soccer Championship. Thelosing team would have its season come to an end. In what was almost amirror-image of the first meeting between these two teams just five weeksago, UCLA came away with a 2-0 shutout victory over Virginia in front of3,510 spectators in the quarterfinal match.

The Bruins did not waste any time asserting and offensive attack onthe Cavaliers. Right from the start of the game, UCLA’s offense weaved itsway through UVa’s defense and came away with two shots on goal. The firstshot was pulled in for a save by Virginia goalkeeper David Comfort. Thesecond shot resulted in a Bruin goal just 4:51 seconds into the match.UCLA’s Nick Paneno and Shea Travis executed two good passes, one which wasgathered by teammate Sasha Victorine upfield. Victorine collected the passthat was played through to him from Travis and fired a shot from about 15yards out that found the back of the UVa goal at 4:51. Victorine’s goaleventually became the game-winner score.

Each team recorded five shots on goal in the first half of play,but the Bruins defense would not loosen up. However, the Cavaliers lookedas though they were going to tie the game at the 8:53 mark when UVa’swindow of opportunity opened. Virginia forward Ryan Gibbs charged upfieldto play a pass that was sent ahead to him. UCLA goalkeeper Nick Rimandoleft the goal area and tried to make a play on the ball, but misplayed theroll. Gibbs gathered the loose ball, made a move and started towards theopen goal but was taken down inside the box by Rimando. The foul resultedin a penalty kick for the Cavaliers. Virginia midfielder Steve Totten tookthe penalty kick for the Cavaliers and fired a shot to the lower right sideof the goal. Rimando guessed which side to play the shot correctly, anddove to his left and made a spectacular save to preserve the Bruins 1-0lead. UCLA would hold onto it’s one goal lead and head into the lockerroom at the half ahead 1-0..

Trailing by a goal, Virginia tried to mount an offense attack ofits own. But the Bruin defense would just not give up, as UCLA played avery detailed “bend but not break” defensive approach. Every time theCavaliers would penetrate deep into the Bruins territory, UCLA would comeup with another defensive stop. In the midst of their defensive hold, theBruins also maintained an offensive balance which lead to UCLA’s secondgoal of the contest. UCLA midfielder Shaun Tsakiris gathered a pass sentto him off of a free kick and pushed it forward towards the Virginia goal,where teammate Ryan Lee headed the ball into the net at 77:45 to make it a2-0 Bruin lead. The Cavaliers could not answer in the final minutes, andUCLA held on for an exciting 2-0 victory.

The victory improves UCLA’s record to 19-2-0 on the season, whilethe loss drops Virginia’s record to 14-9-1 on the year. The win gives theBruins a 4-1-0 mark all-time against the Cavaliers in the series meetingsbetween the two schools. This was the first meeting between the twoprograms in Charlottesville.

UCLA will now travel to Ericsson Stadium to participate in theCollege Cup in Charlotte, N.C. on Friday, December 10th. The Bruins willmeet the winner of the Penn State vs. Indiana contest which is scheduledfor Sunday, December 5th in Bloomington, Indiana. The Cavaliers endedtheir successful ’99 season with the loss.

Scoring Summary    1   2   FUCLA               1   1   2Virginia           0   0   0

Goals: UCLA 2 – Victorine @ 4:51, Lee @ 78:15, UVa 0.
Shots: UCLA 15, UVa 6.
Saves: UVa 9 – (Comfort 6, Singer 3), UCLA 4 – (Rimando 4).
Corner Kicks: UCLA 5, UVa 4.
Fouls: UCLA 22, UVa 21.
Offsides: UCLA 3, UVa 0.
Cautions: UCLA 2 – Lee and Paneno, UVa 1 – Prince.
Attendance: 3,510.