By Chris O’Grady

U of L soccer’s miracle season continues in dramatic fashion, after a snow-capped 5-4 victory over UCLA in the NCAA quarterfinals in front of an announced crowd of 5,427, with many more watching from beyond the fence at Cardinal Park.

                UCLA opened with two early goals by Eder Arreola in the eighth minute and Kelyn Rowe in the 18thminute, though U of L came out with more energy and controlled the ball for most of the half.  But after two magnificent saves by Bruins goalkeeper Brian Rowe, junior forward Colin Rolfe was able to put one past for the Cards.  Rolfe scored off a penalty kick, bouncing it off the wall of UCLA defenders.

                In the 33rdminute UCLA forward Chandler Hoffman broke free from the U of L defense, but was originally called offsides as he easily beat Cards goalkeeper Andre Boudreaux.  But after the referees conferred the goal was awarded to the Bruins, putting them up 3-1. 

                “Even down two goals, twice, we weren’t all that panicked,” said defenseman Austin Berry.  “That’s how it’s been all year, in any situation we believe we can come out on top.”

                The Cards scored again just before half on a penalty kick by senior Charlie Campbell, one of a few Cards who wore short-sleeved jerseys in the 25 degree and snowy weather.

                Head coach Ken Lolla said his message at halftime was that the Cards were by no means out of the game.

                “I told them that we were fine this was a good place to be,” said Lolla.  “Coming back from being down two goals twice shows tremendous character by the group of guys we have.”

                Out of halftime the Cards came out from half firing.  In the 48thminute Paolo Delpiccolo’s free kick was headed into the goal by Rolfe for his team-leading ninth goal of the season to tie the game at 3-3.  Nick DeLeon followed another shot by Rolfe in the 56thminute for the go-ahead goal. 

                The Cards controlled the game for the next 25 minutes of game, but with the clock running down the Bruins struck again.  Freshman forward Victor Chavez deflected a throw in from Joe Sofia past Boudreaux to tie the game back up at 4-4 in the 84thminute. 

                But in the heroic spirit of the undefeated Cards, freshman Aaron Horton’s goal in the game’s final minute assured the game was over in regulation.  Horton, who played just 26 minutes, dribbled past at least four UCLA defenders before beating Rowe.  After the clock ran down, fans rushed the field, despite warnings that the field was off-limits.

                “Pretty much I started cutting through guys and I found the right corner,” said Horton.  “Next thing I knew I was celebrating with my teammates.”

                UCLA (16-5-1) head coach Jorge Salcedo said his team was “nervous” and that the cold certainly played a role in a 5-4 game. 

                “That was a wild soccer game,” said Salcedo.  “I think the weather played a big part.  It’s a new environment for us.  Some of our guys have never seen snow before, and we were the more nervous team in this game.”

                In perspective the Cards had not allowed more than one goal in any of their 21 games before Saturday night.  In fact, the Cards hadn’t allowed four goals in two entire months of 2010.

                The Cards now head to much better weather awaiting them in Santa Barbara, California for the final four of the College Cup beginning Friday.  There will be a send-off at 5 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 7 at the Yum! Center for the team.