Bruins Mending Just in Time

A week off has given the fifth-ranked UCLA men’s soccer team time to prepare for today’s second-round NCAA tournament game against No. 12 Creighton. More important, it has given the Bruins time to heal.

Seth George, the Bruins’ leading scorer, and Sasha Victorine didn’t start last week because of ankle injuries. Their status will be decided just before today’s 1 p.m. start at UCLA’s North Athletic Field.

They have spent the week practicing and Coach Sigi Schmid said both should play.

“They’ve both looked very good this week,” Schmid said. “Chances are they’ll start.”

The more the Bruins (17-3) can get George and Victorine on the field, the better off the Bruins will be.

George, last season’s Final Four most valuable player, leads the team with 15 goals and eight assists.

Like George, Victorine was a substitute in last week’s 2-1 opening-round victory over Fresno State. Victorine scored the winning goal on a header in the 87th minute.

Whether George or Victorine plays, Schmid is comfortable with his offense.

“All of our forwards played well,” he said of the Fresno State game. “And Peter Vagenes and Tom Poltl gave a great effort both offensively and defensively.”

Defensively, the Bruins will have to stop Richard Mulrooney, who had two goals for the Bluejays (15-3-2-) in their 4-1 victory over St. Louis in the first round.

“We have to use our speed and quickness up top,” Schmid said. “We want to make Mulrooney work hard. We want to get a shutout.”