NCAA SOCCER : Nine-Man UCLA Battles Its Way Into Final Four

Trailing by a goal with 10 minutes to play and reduced to nine men after two players had been ejected, UCLA was in trouble.

But the Bruins seem to thrive on such situations lately and did so again Sunday against the College of Charleston in the NCAA quarterfinals.

UCLA scored two goals, the winner by reserve Greg Vanney with 1:12 to play, to defeat the Cougars, 3-2, in front of 1,500 at UCLA.

The victory propelled the Bruins (18-4) into the NCAA soccer tournament’s Final Four for the first time since 1990, when they won the title. UCLA will play Indiana Friday at Davidson (N.C) College.

Sunday’s game was the second consecutive playoff match in which Vanney entered with only 10 minutes to play and scored the winning goal.

UCLA led, 1-0, midway through the second half when Bruin goalkeeper Chris Snitko was given a red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area.

Then, in the 72nd minute, a long Charleston throw-in went through the hands of backup goalkeeper Matt Reis and a Charleston player shot toward the unguarded net.

Bruin defender Frankie Hejduk intentionally caught the ball to prevent the goal and was ejected. Charleston’s Chad Carithers scored on the subsequent penalty kick, and teammate Javier Vivanco gave the Cougars (19-7) the lead, 2-1, moments later with a header.

UCLA’s Eddie Lewis headed in a free kick by Ante Razov to tie the match in the 81st minute.