In case you didn’t already know it, there was one heck of a game on the UCLA campus on Monday night.
It had nothing to do with college hoops or Rick Neuheisel.
It had very little glitz and even less glamour.
The stands were not filled with thousands, but rather dozens. And yet, these few people may have had the privilege of witnessing one of the most talented squads on campus squeak out a win to resuscitate their tournament lives.
I am referring, of course, to the UCLA women’s soccer team’s thrilling 1-0 victory over University of San Diego in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
That one goal came courtesy of an own goal by San Diego late in the second half, and the Bruins would take the win. They deserve a little bit of luck after making five straight College Cups and coming home with zero national championships … so far.
Meanwhile, men’s soccer coach Jorge Salcedo has his team in position for another deep tournament run similar to the 2006 season, when the Bruins finished as the national runner-up. This year, since falling on the road to Stanford, UCLA has allowed a total of just two goals, and one of those came on a penalty kick. Since that time, the Bruins have not lost and have looked as impressive as the 2006 squad did, dispatching rivals California and Washington en route to a conference title.
On the UCLA campus, the “beautiful game” is being played, well, beautifully. Unfortunately, this is out of sight and out of mind of most of the student population, and indeed even its most adamant sports fan base.
While men’s and women’s soccer games tend to draw a healthy contingent of hearty and intelligent fans well-versed in the game of soccer, the number of fans in the cavernous Drake Stadium seems a little less than what should be expected for two outstanding programs.
Imagine the UCLA football team putting together five straight Rose Bowl appearances. Incredible.
Imagine the UCLA men’s basketball team making not three, but five straight Final Fours.
Women’s coach Jill Ellis can tell you about that. And you thought Ben Howland would do anything for a title after three near misses.
UCLA’s women’s soccer team is in the top class of collegiate teams and features two Olympians, Lauren Cheney and Kara Lang, as well as a supporting cast with stars of its own. They usually score a lot and don’t allow many opponents to score on them.
The men’s soccer team started another season slowly, plagued by injuries, but has bounced back in astounding fashion to run away with the Pac-10 title ““ and it wasn’t even that close. As the postseason approaches, the Bruins have their full ensemble of players back and are primed for a title run. They played the toughest schedule (arguably) of any team in the country and will not fear any opponent.
The point is, however, that these teams deserve a far greater amount of support. These are two championship-caliber programs with nationally recognized players and a well-established tradition.
Soccer, despite its many doubters, is a sport that can truly be appreciated when one sits down and takes in the excitement of a full match. And say what you want about golden-goal overtimes and penalty kicks, but there is almost no more exciting overtime format than that of soccer ““ except, perhaps, playoff hockey.
I’ve always been an advocate for the lesser sports on campus, but soccer should not suffer from a lack of fans at games, especially when the team has worked hard to assure a home-field advantage for playoff matchups.
Take a chance, shell out a few bucks, throw on your Den T-Shirts and take in some intense UCLA postseason soccer, and you won’t be sorry. After all, it isn’t called the “beautiful game” for nothing.
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If you think the players are as beautiful as the game, e-mail Kendall at ksalter@media.ucla.edu.