Post-Game Quotes
November 30, 2003 | Men's Soccer
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship * Third Round * Florida International at UCLA Sunday, November 30, 2003
Florida International Head Coach Karl Kremser
"I thought we did pretty well today, but you can't let the other guys run the length of the field like we did at the start of the second half. They defended us very well in the penalty area. We did fine until we got in the box, then stalled. That's where our game eroded. We played extremely well, especially creatively, until we got into the box."
On UCLA's goal in the first minute of the second half
"Any time you give up a goal less than a minute into a half, that's a problem. We re-grouped in our attack, but they dropped back and countered very well. They are a very good team, and you can't keep them bottled up."
"I'm disappointed, but I think we gave a good account of ourselves this year."
Florida International Junior Defender Bobby Boswell (#5)
"We came out well in the first half, and I think both teams were a little bit nervous. We had a good rhythm early and felt like we had UCLA on its heels, and we were playing defense well. They came out in the second half and scored early, then we played defense well. I can't fault my guys, UCLA just found the back of the net and we didn't."
UCLA sophomore forward Evan Corey (#21)
"At halftime, the coaches put me in and told me to go after their defense. On the first goal, the ball was played down the line and cut into the middle. I got a good shot off, going for the far post. On the second goal, it was a slot ball from [Matt] Taylor, I got it just outside and volleyed it past the goalie. I guess this was the best possible time to score the first two goals of my college career. I've under-achieved since I've been here, but scoring two goals today gives me a big boost in my confidence. Hopefully I can keep that form."
UCLA senior forward Matt Taylor (#9)
"They were dominant in the first half, and they threw us off a bit in that half. After halftime, we opened the game up and were finding alleys and lanes. We played a good team, they were patient, but eventually it worked out for us."
On how UCLA's season has gone so far
"We weren't really challenged for most of the season, other than the Maryland loss early in the year and the San Diego tie at the end of the regular season. The end of the season is always the hardest part. The San Diego game was a stepping stone. It was when we started to get battle tested and the young guys learned the high tempo of postseason play."
On next week's game vs. Indiana
"Indiana always finishes their season strong. They are a good program and are really well-coached."
UCLA Head Coach Tom Fitzgerald "We came out flat in the first half again. Florida International is a very different team. Karl always has an interesting team. They had good athletes, good speed and they battled. In the second half, we took over, led by two unexpected goals by Evan Corey."
On the variety of players UCLA used today due to injuries (UCLA used all 16 available field players)
"When I think of the heroes from today's game, Taylor Canel played a great game, Kiel (McClung) played well, and we had three freshmen in the back for most of the late parts of the game. That's why our roster is so big. Everyone on our roster gets a chance at some point, and we really needed them today. We talk about this, plan for it and recruit for it. It paid dividends today. Everybody's contribution was needed today."
On Evan Corey, who scored his first two collegiate goals today
"He has had a difficult two years since I've been here. When he gets fit, something goes wrong injury-wise, but today was the culmination of a lot of hard work. At halftime, we told people to look for Evan on the right side, because he's fit and he was fresh, and he came up with two goals on the right side. He has great speed, and today it all paid off for him."