A GEM FROM QUARTZ HILL PUTTING THE TEAM FIRST SELFLESS ATTITUDE HELPS UCLA'S MCCLUNG.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN Special to the Daily News

Kiel McClung developed the ability that made him an elite-level talent by playing club soccer.

But he said it was while playing at Quartz Hill High that he learned to embrace the team concept.

McClung believes learning the importance of being a good teammate figured prominently in his development. McClung, a former high school All-American, is now a senior defensive standout at UCLA, which finds itself challenging for a national title after Sunday's dramatic 3-2 overtime upset of No. 1 Duke.

The No. 8 Bruins (13-5-4) will make their 12th appearance at the College Cup (the collegiate soccer equivalent of the Final Four) at Saint Louis University on Friday. The Bruins play a semifinal match against Virginia (17-3-1) at 3 p.m. PDT. It will be televised live on ESPN2.

``That was the first time I was able to take pride in representing your school, because you're playing for your school and no other reason but that,'' McClung said of his experience at Quartz Hill. ``That really helped me out, learning how to become a team player.''

McClung was a junior on the 2001-02 Quartz Hill team that probably was the Antelope Valley's best ever. The Rebels went 28-0-2, sharing the Southern Section Div. I title with Leuzinger of Lawndale.

McClung was the Southern Section's Div.I offensive player of the year that season, leading the section with 33 goals. He also had 20 assists. He had 63 goals and 53 assists in his high school career.

Quartz Hill athletic director Coy Ray said McClung helped establish the program.

``We had several really good players at the time, but he was one of the better ones and he kind of stepped out into the forefront and led them to where to they got into a position to where they thought they could beat anybody,'' Ray said. ``He kind of helped get our program to be one that was top-notch.''

McClung was among nine players from the 2002 team who continued their careers at four-year colleges. Five, including McClung, went on to Division I programs: His older brother Ian (Cal State Northridge), Taylor Sheldrick (Fullerton), David Martin (SanFrancisco) and El Shaddai Bent (SanJose State).

Nick Angelillo (Cal State Bakersfield), and Paul Carter and Parham Ostadi (San Francisco State) went on to play at Div. II programs. Kyle Jenison continued his career at The Master's, an NAIA Div. I program.

``This (team) kind of reminds me of that season because I've never been part of such a tight-knit group,'' McClung said of the Bruins.

McClung, a midfielder in high school, helps anchor a UCLA defense that has held four playoff opponents to two goals, both of which came in the first 18 minutes of the Duke game.

This season, he has moved back and forth between right fullback and central defender. He's now playing right fullback, a position that suits his propensity for contributing offensively.

McClung had three goals and two assists as a freshman. He saw limited playing time as a sophomore and junior because ankle injuries limited him to 26 games. He has onegoal and two assists this year.

He was among two former Antelope Valley standouts who started for UCLA at the beginning of the season. Sophomore Maxwell Griffin (Littlerock) led the team with five goals when he suffered a season-ending torn ACL eight games into the season.

Known for his animated playing style in high school, McClung continues to play the game with emotion, a quality that has rubbed off on his UCLA teammates, Bruins coach Jorge Salcedo said.

``He plays with passion,'' Salcedo said. ``Being a senior in the playoffs, he realizes he has to take full advantage of his opportunity, and that's what he's done.''

Although McClung is intrigued by the notion of playing professionally should the opportunity arise, he said his primary focus is on leading UCLA to a national title and completing his degree in sociology.

But he said he believes he wouldn't be the same player if not for his experience at Quartz Hill.

``In club, you've got a lot of great individual players but in high school, you've got to work together with what you've got,'' McClung said. ``Being able to play for school, there's so much pride in it.''

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Kiel McClung helps anchor a UCLA defense that has allowed just two goals in three playoff games. The Bruins play Virginia in the national semifinals Friday.

Courtesy of UCLA