Best of Both Coasts Featured in UCLA-Virginia Title Game

The UCLA and Virginia players who will decide the NCAA title today know all about the rich traditions their schools have in soccer, and they want to become a part of that legacy.

No teams have won more games in the 1990s, but the Cavaliers, seeking their sixth national championship, last won it 1994, and the Bruins have not won it since 1990.

“There’s still a sense of the traditions each of the programs have had,” Virginia midfielder Andriy Shapowal said. “When you come into the program, you slowly start to take pride in what it has meant on the college scene, and for all of us in this position, this is a chance to add our stamp to the tradition.”

UCLA gained its spot in the championship with a stirring 1-0, triple-overtime victory against previously unbeaten and untied Indiana on Friday. Virginia had an easier time, defeating Saint Louis, 3-1.

The Bruins talked before the semifinals about having a score to settle with Indiana, which beat them, 4-1, in the 1994 semifinals. But now that the Hoosiers have been brushed aside, UCLA doesn’t feel at all satisfied.

“Our job is only half done,” senior defender Josh Keller said.

“After the game, we were happy and we were excited, but we know that if we don’t win it all, that game is almost wasted in a sense. We didn’t come here to only win one game. We want to win it all.”

Bruin goalkeeper Matt Reis, who tied a school record with 11 saves against Indiana, said it seems somewhat fitting that his last game as a collegian is against Virginia. The teams have met only twice, UCLA winning, 2-1, in 1984 and Virginia prevailing, 3-0, in 1988.

“We’ve always wanted to play Virginia. They’ve always been the best out here on the East Coast, and we feel like we’ve been the best on the West Coast,” Reis said. “It should be great for the fans and for the players.”

College Soccer Notes

Johnny Torres of Creighton and Cindy Parlow of national champion North Carolina were named winners of the Hermann Trophy as the country’s top college players. Torres, a senior forward, scored 13 goals and had 13 assists for career totals of 46 goals and 36 assists. Parlow, a junior forward, had 13 goals and 18 assists.

* Who: UCLA (21-2) vs.

Virginia (19-3-3).

* When: 10 a.m. today.

* Where: University of

Richmond.

* TV: Fox Sports West.