USIU Clinches a Tie With UCLA

Five minutes into the second half of United States International University’s 3-0 soccer victory over San Diego State Saturday, Gull Coach Mike Hovenic was a bit concerned.

His team was locked in a scoreless tie and needed a win to clinch a tie with UCLA for the Southwest Soccer Conference championship.

“We had some great chances in the first half and didn’t score,” Hovenic said. “I was worried that maybe it just wouldn’t be our day.”

But twelve minutes into the second half, Hovenic’s worries were over. Midfielder Jeff Ward scored on a deflection in front of the net to give USIU a 1-0 lead. In the next 10 minutes, USIU scored on goals by Todd Killalea and Mark Allen to wrap up the match.

The conference co-championship was the Gulls’ first in any sport since the USIU soccer program moved up to Division I in 1982. USIU, which finished 14-7-2 overall and 7-0-1 in the conference, is hoping for an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament. SDSU finished 8-8-4.

“I don’t know about the NCAA berth,” Hovenic said. “We’re just ecstatic about winning our conference.”