The UCSD men and women’s soccer teams’ Oct. 25 matches at Cal State San Bernardino were canceled due to a wildfire that spread to the campus. The men’s soccer team, whose match was scheduled at 12:30 p.m., was within eight miles of the campus before having to turn around and drive back to UCSD.
Meanwhile, just as UCSD women’s soccer head coach Brian McManus and his team were getting ready to leave for San Bernardino, Triton men’s soccer head coach Derek Armstrong phoned McManus and informed him that the soccer matches were cancelled.
Cal State San Bernardino Public Affairs Director Sid Robinson said that smoke filled up the entire campus and the surrounding areas, forcing the evacuation of the school.
“”It is yet to be determined when all regular campus activities will resume,”” Robinson said.
The UCSD women’s soccer team was disappointed by the cancellation and is concerned about the long break between matches.
“”We have not played in two weeks,”” McManus said. “”We had to head back to UCSD and practice. [The women] were ready to play and they were used to playing every Friday and Saturday. Wednesday’s [Oct. 29] match will be hard. It’s hard to get back and compete [after a long break].””
The women’s soccer team currently holds a 12-1 overall record, with a conference record of 10-1, clinching their fourth consecutive South division title.
Armstrong and the men’s soccer team were also let down by the cancellation.
“”Everybody was disappointed, especially when you’re built up to play,”” Armstrong said. “”But, it was an act of God, you can’t do anything about it … rescheduling the game will be a major problem because of classes and midterms.””
In lieu of the match, the men’s soccer team held an intrasquad match on RIMAC field when they returned to UCSD. The men’s team currently holds first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association South division. The Tritons need only one point in their final two matches to clinch their second straight division title.
Injuries plague the men’s soccer team, but the intrasquad match gave the Tritons a chance to sharpen their skills.
“”We have a rash of injuries with our defense,”” Armstrong said. “”It’s inconvenient for us, but every team has to deal with it. This provides the opportunity for people to step up and we have stepped up the training, [we’ve] increased the intensity.””
Senior defender and co-captain Ryan Blair is out for the rest of the season after tearing a ligament from an old injury, according to Armstrong. Also, junior defender Luke Russell would have missed today’s match with a thigh injury, as would sophomore defender Grant Nishio, who has a slight muscle pull. Armstrong is being very careful with his injured players, giving them time to heal in time for postseason play.
“”I’m resting Grant [Nishio] for a few days and Luke [Russell] is going to the medical room,”” Armstrong said. “”We’re trying to be ultra-cautious.””
The rescheduling of the Oct. 25 matches is not yet decided, but the men’s soccer team will play its last regular season match on Nov. 1 at home against Grand Canyon at 7 p.m. The women’s soccer team will play a home match on Oct. 29 at Triton Soccer Stadium at 4:30 p.m.
