UCLA
Virginia
UCLA Takes Pacific Soccer Classic Title, Downs Virginia, 2-0
October 31, 1999 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 31, 1999
Postgame Audio
- UCLA head coach Todd Saldana
- UCLA defender Steve Shak
LOS ANGELES
- In a rematch of the 1997 NCAA Championship game, #2 UCLA defeated Virginia by an identical score of 2-0 to win its fourth consecutive and 11th overall Pacific Soccer Classic title.
UCLA's backfield did the job on both ends of the field, as goalkeeper Nick Rimando earned his fourth consecutive shutout, and defenders Steve Shak and Ryan Lee scored the goals for the Bruins.
Shak struck early in the game at 4:33, blasting a shot from 12 yards out that beat Virginia goalkeeper David Comfort. It was the first career goal for the Bruin senior, and he was assisted by Lee and Pete Vagenas.
Lee scored a goal of his own at 69:49, after Vagenas' indirect free kick found Sasha Victorine's head. Victorine flicked it to Lee, who found the net for his third goal of the season.
Rimando preserved the victory with two outstanding saves in the second half. In the 60th minute, Ryan Trout blasted a hard shot on a one-on-one opportunity, but Rimando was there for the save. The Cavaliers had another one-on-one opportunity in the 64th minute, but Sheldon Barnes' shot went just wide left. Barnes nearly converted one minute later after a defensive miscue by the Bruins, but Rimando dove to save his shot
"I'm proud to say that I got my first goal against Virginia," said Shak. "It couldn't have come at a better time for me, and it couldn't have come at a better time for the team."
"The last time we played them was at the Final Four in the final, and we won 2-0. So for me, I'm 2-0 against Virginia, and I can't do any better than that going out of my college career - a win against Virginia, and I score my first goal here at home."
UCLA improves its record to 15-1 and has won 13 consecutive games. Virginia drops to 9-7-1. The Bruins have now won two straight against the Cavaliers and lead the overall series 3-1.
Earlier in the morning, Cal State Fullerton defeated Air Force 3-1 to finish third in the Classic. Shaun Higgins scored at 1:46 to give Fullerton an early lead, but Air Force tied it up in the 51st minute on a goal by Keith McDaniel. Fullerton regained the lead for good in the 69th minute when Air Force keeper Rich Cullen sent a goal kick that went towards Fullerton's Art Ramirez. Ramirez shook off a defender and took off with the ball with only Cullen to beat and scored the game-winner. Ricky Melendez scored an insurance goal at 89:02.
Victorine won Offensive MVP honors, while Rimando earned Defensive MVP nods, making it nine consecutive years a UCLA player has won Defensive MVP honors at the Classic.
The Bruins will face Cal State Fullerton on Sunday, Nov. 7 in "Big Rival Weekend." The game is the second in a doubleheader with the UCLA women's team, who will host cross-town rival USC at 10:30 am. The UCLA and Fullerton men will meet for the MPSF Pacific Division title at 1:00 pm. Both games will take place at the North Athletic Field.
1999 Pacific Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team
Offensive MVP
- Sasha Victorine, UCLA
Defensive MVP - Nick Rimando, UCLA
All-Tournament Team - Rich Cullen, Terrence Welliver (AF), Antonio Martinez, Ricky Melendez (CSUF), Sheldon Barnes, Drew O'Donnell, Chad Prince (UVA), Steve Shak, Ryan Lee (UCLA).Game Summary - Cal State Fullerton vs. Air Force
1st 2nd F Air Force 0 1 1 Cal State Fullerton 1 2 3
Shots
- AF 10, CSUF 17
Corner Kicks - AF 5, CSUF 6
Saves - AF 6, CSUF 3
Fouls - AF 26, CSUF 20
Offsides - AF 2, CSUF 3
Cautions - Duncan Oughton (CSUF) 81:24, Rich Cullen (AF), 89:02
Attendance - 1226Scoring Summary
Team Goal by Assist Time CSUF Shaun Higgins Ricky Melendez, Adam Reeves 1:46 AF Keith McDaniel Ryan Sagastume 50:21 CSUF Art Ramirez unassisted 68:04 AF Ricky Melendez Duncan Oughton 89:02
Game Summary - UCLA vs. Virginia
1st 2nd F Virginia 0 0 0 UCLA 1 1 2
Shots
- UVA 7, UCLA 17
Corner Kicks - UVA 1, UCLA 5
Saves - UVA 7, UCLA 2
Fouls - UVA 26, UCLA 20
Offsides - UVA 0, UCLA 1
Cautions - Kenny Arena (UVA), 20:00, Ryan Lee (UCLA), 58:28
Attendance - 1226Scoring Summary
Team Goal by Assist Time UCLA Steve Shak Ryan Lee, Pete Vagenas 4:33 UCLA Ryan Lee Pete Vagenas, Sasha Victorine 69:49
