CHATTER: EX-H.-W. COACH SEES OTHER SIDE.

Byline: Erik Boal Special to the Daily News

Stacy Schwartz discovered last weekend that it can be just as nerve-racking watching a soccer game from the stands as it can be from the sidelines. Perhaps more so.

Schwartz, who earlier this fall stepped down as girls' coach at Harvard-Westlake of Studio City to focus on other endeavors, was in attendance as a spectator Saturday for the Wolverines' showdown with Westlake in the featured game of the inaugural Westlake Soccer Showcase.

In a back-and-forth affair in which both teams scored goals that were disallowed, Schwartz sat on the edge of her seat as the Wolverines, under new coach Richard Simms, and Warriors played to a scoreless tie.

``It's hard sitting in the stands,'' said Schwartz, who led Harvard-Westlake to four consecutive Mission League titles. ``It gives you a much different perspective being up there.''

Schwartz, who declined an offer to coach Chaminade of West Hills' girls' soccer team, said she loves being around the sport but wanted to pursue other career opportunities.

``It wasn't like I wanted to make a big deal about (not coaching at Harvard-Westlake),'' she said. ``When you think about, I've spent over 20 years of my life there. It wasn't anything with the program, I just saw my life heading in a different direction.''

--Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's 2-0 girls' soccer loss to Buena of Ventura leaves El Camino Real with the longest unbeaten streak in the area - by a wide margin.

Oaks Christian's 18-game streak was bookended by losses to Buena. ECR's streak is at 20 games.

--The City Section's top senior girls' volleyball players showcase their skills Saturday in an All-Star game at Garfield High in East Los Angeles. The event, which begins at 2 p.m., pits Valley players against the rest of the City Section.

Arman Mercado from City runner-up Taft of Woodland Hills will coach a Valley team that includes Valley Mission League MVP Crystal Perryman from Verdugo Hills of Tujunga and West Valley League MVP Romina Ignacio of Taft.

--Pepperdine men's water polo coach Terry Schroeder has been hired as assistant coach of the U.S. men's national team. The Hall-of-Famer, who captained the national team from 1983 to '92, has been the Waves' coach for 17 years.

``When you think of USA water polo, you think of Terry Schroeder,'' said U.S. head coach Rick Azevedo.

Heather Gripp and Associated Press contributed.

Erik Boal, [phone]

erik.boal(at)dailynews.com