The UCLA men’s soccer team has been eyeing the Pac-10
trophy all season, and wins this weekend will almost assuredly
clinch its first place position in the conference.
Today the Bruins will play at No. 2 Cal, and on Sunday at No. 3
Stanford.
“If we win against Cal and Stanford, we pretty much win
the Pac-10,” senior defender Scot Thompson said. The Golden
Bears (11-3-2, 4-1-1 Pac-10) lost to UCLA (11-2-2, 6-1 Pac-10),
when they played at Drake Stadium Oct. 20. Out of the last four
games UCLA has played against Cal, the Bruins have not lost any of
them.
“With Cal, we have to stay compact and not let them come
through the middle,” said senior midfielder Jimmy Frazelle.
UCLA will also have to play aggressively as Cal goalie Josh
Saunders has eight shutouts, leading the Pac-10.
“If we dictate the pace of the game, keep possession of
the ball, and play very well collectively as a defense, we’ll
be in good position to win,” added head coach Tom
Fitzgerald.
Sunday’s matchup will find the Bruins playing Stanford,
the defending Pac-10 champions. Stanford also lost to the Bruins at
Drake Stadium this season, 1-0, in overtime.
“We need to shut down their midfielders, Stanford is very
organized,” said Thompson. “It’s going to be
tough, we need to come out and be aggressive.”
Although Stanford has a title to defend, and boasts 2001 Pac-10
Player of the Year Roger Levesque, they have not won a game or
scored a goal since their loss to the Bruins Oct. 18. The Cardinals
play Pac-10 newcomers Fresno State today.
“With Stanford, we have to have the same kind of game as
we did last time,” said Frazelle. “If we do,
we’ll win.”
The team’s confidence is high and everyone, including
Fitzgerald, seem to be looking forward to a Pac-10
championship.
“This is the time of the year we have to try to peak and
play our best soccer,” said Fitzgerald. “These are the
two biggest games of the season. Two wins and we take care of the
conference.”