A Big Weekend Awaits the UCLA Women’s Soccer Team

UCLA will open defense of its Pacific 10 Conference women’s soccer title against its top two contenders as it plays host to California tonight and Stanford on Sunday.

Both teams are ranked in the top 10 by the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America. Fifth-ranked Cal (7-2-1) is coming off a victory over seventh-ranked Wake Forest. No. 2 Stanford (9-1-0) has withstood the sudden resignation of Coach Andy Nelson before the season.

“We have had some tough games in nonconference so I think we’re ready for the Pac-10 schedule,” UCLA Coach Jillian Ellis said. “I think it helps us to get up emotionally for a big game and also test us.”

The 12th-ranked Bruins (8-2-0) fell in the polls after losing to defending NCAA champion Santa Clara in overtime last week. Sarah-Gayle Swanson, Iris Mora, Katie Rivera and Kim Devine each have five or more goals for a team that has already scored 33. Redshirt sophomore Lindsay Greco has a team-leading four assists after missing most of last season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

*

Long Beach State women’s volleyball player Lindsay Phillips has been cleared to play for the 49ers by the NCAA after a committee determined she made enough academic progress in her summer courses to become eligible.

Phillips, a senior outside hitter, will be a boost to a Long Beach State team that is 13-1 and ranked eighth in the national polls. She was declared ineligible at the start of the season but the school filed an appeal with the NCAA.

*

UC Irvine made up a five-shot deficit and won the Club Glove Intercollegiate men’s golf tournament by one stroke over Pepperdine at Saticoy Country Club in Somis. Senior Jeff Coburn of Irvine made par on the first playoff hole to defeat New Mexico’s Jae Choi and earned individual medalist honors.

USC senior Mikaela Parmlid defeated Pepperdine senior Lindsey Wright on the first playoff hole to win the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational women’s tournament at Tacoma, Wash. Parmlid entered the day six strokes behind teammate Becky Lucidi but shot a final-round 68 to tie Wright, who had a 70. USC won the team title by 15 strokes.

*

UCLA defeated USC, 6-3, to win the Nor Cal men’s water polo tournament at Berkeley. The Trojans in the final period as the Bruins (7-3) won four matches in two days.... Cal State Fullerton (8-1-1) is in the women’s soccer rankings for the first time in school history. The Titans are 25th in the Soccer Buzz and Soccer America polls.