Tuesday, 4/15/97 Bruins manage to pull out wins when postseason
play on the line Freshmen step up on senior day to lead team to
first playoffs in over five years
By Rocky Salmon Daily Bruin Contributor Sunday was senior day
for the UCLA men’s lacrosse team as it battled UC San Diego in the
last game of the season. Surprisingly, on a day when the seniors
were supposed to shine, two freshmen took control of the game and
helped the Bruins clinch a playoff spot for the first time in over
five years. UCLA defeated UCSD, 27-10, but almost lost the game
because of lazy play. "We played down to their level, and that
almost cost us," attackman Matt Hill said. Playing against an
inexperienced and less skilled Triton team, the Bruins sleepwalked
through most of the game. If not for the inspired play of two
freshmen, goalie Pete Abbott (22 saves), and Hill (9 goals, 1
assist), UCLA could have kissed their playoff hopes goodbye. Once
the rookies sparked the team, three seniors – Robert Gamble (5
goals, 4 assists), Rocky Choi and Mike Arlotto (3 goals, 2 assists
apiece) – raised their level of play. For the Bruins, the season
has been all about their will to win. After winning their first
five games, the Bruins hit a valley as their record dropped to 7-4,
and they maintained only an outside shot of reaching their
preseason goal. "We decided we needed to reach our goals, and we
have," senior Rocky Choi said. "Making the playoffs is a big deal,
the pinnacle of my years with the club. The win at Loyola Marymount
showed our will to accomplish what no other UCLA lacrosse club has
done in the past 10 years." With a re-energized offense, the Bruins
exploded in the second half of the season by winning the last six
games of the year and clinching a spot in the playoffs. Yet, the
most important game of the year came Thursday with the postseason
on the line. In a virtual tie with LMU in the standings, the Bruins
needed some clutch performances to keep their dreams alive.
Ironically, it was the defense that stepped up big for the club.
Led by Jeff Rieger and Abbott, the defense limited the high-powered
Lions offense to 12 goals. With two minutes left, Mike Arlotto (24
goals, 11 assists on the season), took a pass from midfield and put
the ball in the net for a 13-12 victory and a chance for a playoff
berth – all the Bruins needed to do was pull out a victory against
the Tritons. UCLA did. UCLA 27, UC San Diego 10