By
Sheena Nguyen
October 24, 2008
After splitting last weekend’s games in California and giving up sole possession of the Pac-10 lead, the 27th-ranked Washington men’s soccer team (8-4-1) is looking for more wins this weekend when it faces off against UCLA (5-4-5) and San Diego State at home.
The Huskies are riding a seven-game unbeaten streak at the Husky Soccer Field and hope to continue that run this weekend against the Bruins and Aztecs.
The Bruins seem to be the team to beat, as they currently share the Pac-10 lead with Washington. The Huskies will also be looking to redeem themselves against the team that snapped their most recent six-game unbeaten streak with a 2-0 victory in Westwood, Calif.
UCLA is rolling off of some great momentum with last weekend’s pair of wins. Playing an essential role for the team is Bruin goalkeeper Brian Perk, who was named this week’s Pac-10 Player of the Week and tallied nine saves without allowing any goals in 174 minutes of play last weekend. He’ll be one of the main obstacles the Husky attack will have to overcome.
Currently leading the Washington offense is a veteran-rookie tandem made up of Raphael Cox and Brent Richards, both leading the team with six.
Anchoring the Husky backline will once again be redshirt sophomore Stephen Fung, who shared time at the net with redshirt junior Rylan Hawkins earlier this season but has now taken command of the goal. Fung, along with a seasoned defense made up of veteran juniors Taylor Hoss and Casey Cunningham and sophomore Taylor Mueller will be the main obstacle for the Bruins.
Washington doesn’t have a long history with the Aztecs, but five of the last seven meetings have reached overtime, including last weekend’s match.
The Huskies will be looking to make swift work of these two teams this weekend, but the high level of play in the Pac-10 could mean anything is in the cards.
“This weekend’s matches are going to be very interesting,” Fung said. “UCLA will be looking to win the conference and make a run for the NCAAs, and San Diego State will be looking for a revenge win against us. Anything could happen.”
Reach reporter Sheena Nguyen at sports@dailyuw.com.
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