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Men’s soccer heads West Team to face Cal State Fullerton, UCLA in tourney BY KYLE ALMOND THE (JAMECOCK USC’s men’s soccer team heads to the West Coast this weekend to take part in the UCLA Pacific Soccer Classic, and it will be look ing for quality results as the reg ular season winds down. The No. 17 Gamecocks (8-3-1) will take on Cal State Fullerton to day at noon and UCLA on Sunday in their second straight weekend tournament. Last weekend, USC went win less in the Gamecock Soccer Classic, losing to Maryland and ty ing then-No. 8 Rutgers. since starling tne season /-t, Carolina has only won one of its last four games. The Gamecocks defeated Gardner-Webb 5-0 on Oct. 15, but that win came between losses to Clemson and Maryland. With only a handful of games remaining in the regular season, it’s important that the Gamecocks build momentum before postsea son play gets underway. One of the keys to doing that might be just getting off to a bet ter start. USC has been a strong second-half team all season, outscoring its opponents 19-4, but its first-half output has been less than stellar. Carolina has only scored six first-half goals this sea son while allowing nine. Expect the Gamecocks to lean on the trio of Ryan Daley, Jordan Quinn and Joey Worthen to get back in the win column. Daley, a sophomore midfielder, is the team’s leading scorer with seven goals and five assists for 19 points. Quinn, a junior forward, is right behind Daley with six goals. Senior forward Worthen has five goals, four of them game-winners. Carolina’s opponents this week end don’t have spectacular records but are traditionally very tough. Cal State Fullerton (5-6-1) might be under .500, but four of its loss es have come to ranked opponents. The Titans also have done some thing the Gamecocks couldn’t - beat Clemson. With sophomore forward Hector Orellana leading the way with seven goals, Cal State Fullerton should present the Gamecocks with a challenge in the tournament’s opening game. UL/L.A ^o-o-zj nas won uiree NCAA titles in its history and 11 of its own Classics. Some of U.S. Soccer’s biggest names played for the Bruins, including Cobi Jones, Brad Friedel, Ante Razov, Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Joe-Max Moore and Marcelo Balboa. Alex Yi, a sophomore defender, might be the next Bruin to join that impressive list. Yi is a candi date for the Hermann Trophy, giv en to the nation’s top collegiate soccer player. The Gamecocks will have his tory on their side this weekend. USC won its only previous meet ing with Cal State Fullerton and is 2-0-1 against UCLA, including an upset in 1998 when the Bruins were No. 1 in the country. For complete coverage of this week’s football game, check Monday’s issue of ^ THE GAMECOCK ^ GAMECOCK SPORTS: We put the “daily” in www.dailygamecock.com Tennessee Vols pose biggest threat yet for USC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 but he has been perfect on his PATs, hitting all 15. Walls does have a very long-range leg. Tyeler Dean has been solid on his punting chores, averaging 42.7 per punt, while Volunteer punter Dustin Coquitt has av eraged only 36.6 yards. ADVANTAGE: USC Returning: Watson leads the conference in kickoff returns, averaging 36.2 yards per re turn. However, the Gamecocks haven’t done as well with punt returns, ranking last in the conference. UT has fared no better on returns but has a de cent punt returner in Rashad Baker, who picks up close to 10 yards per return. ADVANTAGE: USC The matchup will prove to be critical for both teams. UT head coach Phillip Fulmer has put up a perfect 8-0 record against the Gamecocks. But this season finds both teams with an opportunity to win the SEC East. USC, unlike last sea son, can comeback in the fleet ing minutes. And the Gamecocks will hold the UT of fense enough to win the game. The key to the game will be whether the Gamecocks can contain the Volunteer’s potent rushing attack. Nonetheless, neither team has a solid ad vantage. USC 21, TENNESSEE 17 Foy A Georgia win could hurt our SEC hopes - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 reason for optimism. Last year’s USC team may have lost to those two-timing thugs 41-21, but we did lead 21-3 at the end of the first quarter. This year’s team is not only more likely to hold onto a lead, but also has the capacity to mount a comeback. Throw in the home-field advantage, and you could have yourself a very good game. We have to be honest here. The question is not whether we .. can win the rest of our games. We can, no doubt. The question is whether we will. Florida and Tennessee always prove to be the toughest challenges, and this year will be no different. But to get there, USC and Florida victories this weekend are the way to go. The MCAT Take a mock MCAT for FREE. Get a scored test that no one but you need ever see. This is your chance to see how you might do, where you are strong, and with what subjects you might need help. Saturday November 3,10:00 A.M. You must register to take the test. CaU 777-5581 Pre-Professional Advising 127 Sum wait College iii Sports Asst Sports! j Senior ' Defending U E?f* @j Reader of L Editor Editor j Writer ChampionI I r . I the week B (25-16) | (23-18) U (26-15) (24-17) f I (23-18) I