An unfamiliar breeze swept through Drake Stadium as the UCLA men’s soccer team stormed the field after its victory Sunday afternoon.
Despite the chilly weather, the Bruins had just scored two second-half goals to defeat Stanford and clinch the Pac-10 Conference championship, their first since 2005.
Set against California and Stanford going into the weekend, the streaking Bruins had won four games in a row ““ all by way of shutout.
The team obtained four more points over the weekend in the conference standings and showed that a drop in temperature could not cool down the scorching Bruins, who have now won five of their last six matches and remain unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 matches.
Even though lower temperatures are not often associated with Southern California, senior forward Maxwell Griffin, who scored the team’s two goals Sunday, believes that the cooler weather played to the team’s advantage.
“The (cool) weather is really beneficial to us,” Griffin said. “It keeps us up to beat and everyone physically healthy. We just play really well in this kind of weather.”
Lately the Bruins have been playing well in any kind of weather. Perhaps more impressive than the unbeaten streak is the fact that the UCLA defense has registered six straight shutouts, a scoreless stretch that currently spans 575 straight minutes.
Coach Jorge Salcedo feels that cool weather allows his players to remain fresh throughout a match, which is ideal for the sport’s fast pace.
“The cold weather is great, it’s great,” Salcedo said. “It’s perfect weather to play in. Great soccer weather.”
A VOCAL LEADER: With freshmen defenders Chris Cummings, Andy Rose and Zack Zerrenner all seeing considerable playing time alongside senior Brad Rusin, junior goalkeeper Brian Perk has taken it upon himself to make sure the backfield stays in formation.
“The defense, as far as their ability, is first-class,” Perk said. “We have some freshman and some guys that aren’t as vocal, so sometimes you get out of order and disorganized. If no one is talking to people, especially in college where there aren’t huge crowds and you can hear people, it’s very important.”
If a player loosens or tightens the shape of the formation, Perk is there to correct it.
“It takes away a chance that (the opposition) gets a shot on goal by just moving a player into position, in a better spot to make a better play,” Perk said. “With the athletes and the soccer players on this team, that’s all you really need is to be in good spots.”
HEAD OF THE PAC: A feeling of relief was evident in the Bruin players as they signed autographs for fans following their victory Sunday.
Now the Pac-10 battle “is over, and we can get ready for the postseason,” Perk said. “Not saying we’re going to take any of our remaining games lightly, but it’s much better to (win the title) at home than anywhere else.”
Without the victory over the Cardinal, the Bruins would have had to wait until Nov. 15 to play against another conference opponent.
With the title assured and one of the team’s preseason goals fulfilled, greater optimism remains about what lies ahead.
“First we wanted to make playoffs ““ that’s huge,” Griffin said. “Winning the Pac-10 obviously puts us in there. Now it’s just focusing on the (NCAA) Tournament and getting a good tournament run, maybe a national championship.”
Prior to this season, Cal had won the last two conference titles. Before that, the Bruins had won four straight, beginning in 2002. The team’s inability to finish atop the conference in recent years was something Perk felt needed to change.
“We owe it to the alumni,” Perk said. “This is a historic program, and after losing the last two (conference titles), this was definitely on our mind at the beginning of the season.”
Winning the conference championship gives UCLA an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. With a spot in the postseason solidified, Perk is not afraid to point out the Bruins’ next goal.
“We can win a national championship,” Perk said. “I don’t see why we can’t.”