NCAA SOCCER : Soto Propels Fullerton Past San Diego, 3-1

Two overtime goals by Eddie Soto propelled Cal State Fullerton to a 3-1 overtime victory over the University San Diego in the opening round of the NCAA soccer tournament Saturday night at Fullerton.

Soto, a senior from Cerritos, scored in the 99th and 107th minutes, breaking the 1-1 tie.

Matt Bradbury had given Fullerton a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute off an assist by Soto, and the goal appeared likely to stand up until San Diego striker Guillermo Jara scored with only 28 seconds remaining in regulation.

The victory advances Fullerton (13-6-2) to next weekend’s second round against the winner of today’s match between Fresno State and the University of San Francisco.

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Seventh-ranked UCLA (15-4) will play host to unranked Alabama Birmingham (15-3-1) in the first round of the NCAA tournament today at 1 p.m. at the North Soccer Field.

The Bruins have been shut out in their last three games--a 2-0 loss to second-ranked Indiana, and two 1-0 losses to third-ranked Fresno State in the regular-season finale and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship.

Those losses are partially explained by late-season injuries to starters Eddie Lewis (fractured cheek), Frankie Hejduk (back), Adam Frye (strained knee). Robbie LaBelle sat out the MPSF championship game because he received five yellow cards this season. Everyone is available for the tournament.

UCLA received an at-large bid in the NCAA South Region and Alabama Birmingham received an automatic bid after winning the Great Midwest Conference championship.