Sockers, Rink Owner Put End to Differences

The San Diego Sockers will not be evicted from their practice facility, the San Diego Indoor Soccer Center, after all.

Tom Higginson, owner of the center, and Sockers President Ron Cady met in Salt Lake City Monday and resolved their differences, which arose when two players made unfavorable comments about the artificial turf in a published report.

Higginson said he is glad everything is resolved.

“My daughter called me today,” Higginson said. “(She) said, ‘I was in class today and everyone stood up and asked why my dad kicked out the Sockers.’ All I could say was ‘Heather I’m sorry.’ Kids came up to her and said, ‘Kevin Crow is my favorite player.’ ‘Brian Quinn signed my soccer ball.’ ‘How come your dad kicked them out?’

“She’s only 12 years old.”

UCSD’s men will play host to Wheaton (Ill.) College at 1 p.m. Saturday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III soccer championships.

Currently ranked No. 5, UCSD (17-2-1) advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Cal State San Bernardino, 1-0, in the first round, then defeating the College St. Thomas (Minn.), 1-0, in the round of 16. UCSD has won 10 in a row, the past five by shutout.

Wheaton (19-2-0), ranked No. 13, received a first-round bye, then defeated MacMurray College, 4-2.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Six-time champion UC San Diego (33-8) received the top seeding in the NCAA Division III regional championships, which will be held at Pomona-Pitzer later this week, and will receive a bye into the second round.

UCSD, ranked No. 2 in the nation, has an 18-1 record against other Division III schools, the only loss coming against No. 1 Washington.

MEN’S TENNIS

San Diego State advanced to the finals of the Region 7 indoor team championships Monday night by defeating Texas El Paso, 7-2. SDSU was led at No. 1 singles by Ricardo Herrera, who defeated Emaka Igbenebor, 7-6, 6-4; and at No. 2 singles by Joe McDonough, who beat Patrick Ekstrand, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.