UCLA Defeats California, 3-1, to Advance to NCAA Regional Final Against Las Vegas

Second-half goals by Tom Silvas and All-American Dale Ervine enabled UCLA to break a 1-1 halftime tie and gain a 3-1 victory over California Sunday in the first round of the NCAA West Regional soccer playoffs at UCLA.

The Bruins (16-1-4) will face Nevada Las Vegas in the regional final on a date yet to be determined. Las Vegas defeated Fresno, 2-1, Sunday night on goals by Robbie and Richie Ryerson.

Against Cal (16-5-2), Silvas put UCLA ahead by drilling a shot past goalie Todd Harmon after the Bears failed to clear the ball. Then Ervine, who led the Bruins during the regular season with 11 goals, scored from the right corner in the 77th minute.

After Cal’s Todd Brockman scored in the 26th minute, the Bruins tied the game, 1-1, in the 35th minute as Silvas raced to the endline and popped the ball to the middle, from where Doug Swanson headed it in.