Goals have been hard to come by this year for the UCLA
men’s soccer team. The Bruins’ average of 1.41 goals
per game is hardly the offensive output a good soccer team wants.
Yet the squad has gone undefeated at home, clinched the Pac-10
title two games before the end of the season, and received a No. 5
seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Not bad for a team that only
mustered three games with three or more goals during the entire
season. “Individuals always step up and score goals for
us,” coach Jorge Salcedo said. “The difference in most
of our games is guys scoring when they need to.” One Bruin
who has developed a knack for finding the back of the net at
crucial moments is sophomore forward Kamani Hill. The Berkeley
native knocked in game-winning goals four times this year, against
Washington, Oregon State, Stanford, and most recently San Diego
State on Sunday. “I know my role is an offensive one, whether
(I’m) passing or shooting,” Hill said. “I just do
my small part for the good of the whole team.” The Bruins
have pulled out victories very late in games because of
Hill’s ability to score under pressure. Of his game-winning
goals, one came against Stanford in overtime and one against San
Diego State in double overtime. The sophomore’s late-game
heroics give the Bruins hope for victory, as long as they can keep
the score close for most of the game. “We always try to keep
that zero for the whole game,” senior defender Jordan Harvey
said. “If we do, we only need one goal to get the win.”
Leading his team with seven goals and eight assists, Hill has
certainly been an integral part of the Bruin offense. His ability
to put the Bruins on the board first has helped them keep the
opposing team on their heels for the rest of the game. “When
we score first, that puts us in a great spot,” Salcedo said.
“Kamani has helped us achieve this in several games.”
Not only has Hill been able to score at critical times, he has also
developed an extremely efficient attack. With a shooting percentage
of .146 and with half of his 48 shots on goal, Hill makes his shots
count. “We make sure to pass from the front to back as many
times as we need to, so we can set up our forwards with good shot
opportunities,” freshman midfielder and forward Sal Zizzo
said. “Good assists mean good goals.”
INDIVIDUAL HONORS: As Pac-10 champions, the
Bruins have gained a national spotlight, illuminating the
individual talent that comprises their team. Top Drawer Soccer
honored eight members of the team in its end-of-season awards. Six
players were selected to the National Team of the Season, and two
freshmen were chosen to the All-Rookie Team. “I’ve
known from the start that we are a very athletic and talented
team,” Salcedo said. Hill, defender Marvell Wynne and
goalkeeper Eric Reed were all named to Top Drawer Soccer’s
first team. With 12 solo shutouts and a 0.46 goals-against average
this season, Reed’s selection was no surprise. Greatly
contributing to all 14 of UCLA’s total shutouts this season,
Wynne has also proven himself as an invaluable defensive leader for
UCLA. In addition to the first-team honors, senior defender Jordan
Harvey was selected to the second team, junior midfielder Patrick
Ianni to the third team, and junior defender Brandon Owens to the
fourth team. “Individual awards just show that our team is
doing well,” Harvey said. “I think it gives the entire
team confidence to see us up there.” Neither did UCLA’s
freshmen talent go unnoticed. Freshmen defender Brad Rusin ““
who scored a game-winning goal against UC Santa Barbara ““ and
Zizzo ““ who is second on the team with five assists ““
were named to the 2005 All-Rookie team.
LOOKING AHEAD: With a No. 5 seeding in the NCAA
Tournament, the Bruins have earned a bye in the first round,
resulting in over a week of rest. They will face the winner of the
first-round match between Southern Methodist University (10-5-3)
and San Francisco (11-5-4) at Drake Stadium on Nov. 22. If the
Bruins, who have advanced to the tournament for 23 straight years,
win that game, they are guaranteed an additional home game.
“We got what we wanted,” Salcedo said.
“We’ve got the two home games, and now it’s time
to focus on hopefully winning.”