CLU NOTES: MCGAUGHEY HELPS TO SAVE KINGSMEN.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

One of the unsung heroes of Saturday's 38-31 Cal Lutheran victory over La Verne was defensive back/kick returner Sean McGaughey.

McGaughey, a sophomore from Atascadero, had two interceptions, two tackles and broke up a pass.

The interceptions were especially timely. One stopped a La Verne drive in Kingsmen territory and the other set up a Cal Lutheran touchdown.

He also returned three punts for 33 yards, showing tremendous courage by hanging in there until the very last moment when he fielded punts.

``I don't really worry about it,'' said the 5-foot-10, 165-pounder. ``I figure I'll just catch it and worry about getting hit later.''

McGaughey's second-half interception, which set up Fredrik Nanhed's 22-yard touchdown run giving the Kingsmen a 38-24 lead, was impressive.

He circled the receiver, dived and hung onto the ball as he was falling out of bounds.

``Our defensive line pushed the quarterback out (of the pocket),'' McGaughey said. ``I just followed him out and when he made the pass I broke on it and was able to make the catch.''

Coach Scott Squires was appreciative of McGaughey's efforts: ``Sean played tremendous,'' Squires said. ``He was aggressive, made some great punt returns and the two interceptions. It goes without saying how important those were.''

Women's volleyball: The first year the women's volleyball team made it to the NCAA Tournament West Regionals was in 1994. They liked it so much, they have made it back every year since.

When the Regals take on the winner of CS Hayward and Colorado College Friday at 4:30 p.m. at UC San Diego's RIMAC Arena, it will be the team's fifth consecutive appearance.

The best the team has done was a second-place finish in 1995.

If the Regals survive Friday's match, they would play in the championship Saturday against either UC San Diego, Willamette, Ore. or Linfield, Ore.

Cal Lutheran played both possible opponents at the Spike It Up Classic in Colorado Springs last month. The Regals lost to CS Hayward, which broke a 16-game winning streak, but defeated Colorado College.

Men's soccer: The men's soccer team defeated Claremont-Mudd 3-2 in the SCIAC Championship on Saturday. Oskar Kantoft scored his team-leading 13th goal of the season to lead the Kingsmen.

The team played Chapman on Wednesday in the first round of the NCAA Division III West Regionals.

The regional is the fourth for the Kingsmen, following appearances in 1991, 1992 and last season.

The Kingsmen won the West Regional in 1997 and finished fifth nationally.

This year, in the regular season, the Kingsmen finished 14-5 overall and 9-1 in the conference.

Winter sports: The men's and women's basketball teams continue with practices through this week. Both teams begin their seasons on Nov. 20. The men open at home with CS Dominguez Hills. The women will be at the UC Santa Cruz Invitational and will play the host team in the opener.