Wackerman Renews Drive Toward Soccer Scoring Record

Rachel Wackerman resumes her pursuit of the women’s NCAA goal-scoring record today as Cal Lutheran opens its soccer season at 2 p.m. at home against Cal Poly Pomona.

The junior forward has 66 goals, including 36 last season. Beth Byrne of Franklin & Marshall has the record with 110.

Cal Lutheran was 17-4 last season and 12-0 in the Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Also returning for the Regals is goalie JoAnn Vanderwall, who had 11 shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.90 a year ago.

The men’s team, which was 14-5-1 and reached the NCAA Division III playoffs in 1991, will play host to Cal Poly Pomona at 4:30 p.m. Willie Ruiz, who set school records for goals (21) and points (47) last season, is the leading returner.

Vince Tucciarroni, 51, will share football coaching duties and a title this season with Birmingham High co-Coach Chick Epstein, who is in his 13th season with the Braves.

Tucciarroni, the Braves’ defensive coordinator for the past three seasons, came to Birmingham as the B coach nine years ago.