COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: CSUN'S BIG RIVALRY COUNTS FOR MORE.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

One of the best rivalries in men's college soccer - Cal State Northridge vs. UC Santa Barbara - will be renewed this afternoon, and on one of the sport's bigger stages: the NCAA Tournament.

The second-round showdown, at 1 p.m. at CSUN's Matador Field, is their third meeting this year.

``We're going to punch them, and they're going to punch us right back,'' CSUN coach Terry Davila said. ``We've played them more times than anyone in the world.

``It's the city boys versus ... I don't know what you would call them. A state school versus a university. If you can't get up for a game like this, you're not human. You're not an athlete.''

Since Davila took over in 1999, the Matadors are 5-5-2 against their Big West Conference counterparts. CSUN (14-3-3) tied the Gauchos (12-4-3) 2-2 last month in the first meeting, then won 1-0 on Nov. 2 en route to the conference title.

``I guess we'll be hoping the third time's the charm,'' UCSB defender Chris Hughes said. ``We know what they'll be bringing, and they probably have an idea what we'll be coming with.''

``We have a love/hate relationship with Northridge ...,'' Gauchos coach Tim Vom Steeg added. ``There's a lot of respect that goes back and forth, and that's what makes it a good rivalry. All I know is you're going to want to get a ticket. It's going to be as good as it gets, in terms of the college game.''

The Matadors, at home for the first time in the playoffs, have qualified for the NCAA Tournament four consecutive seasons, losing their opener each time. Willie Sims will be critical to ending the skid.

The junior forward from Reseda High has been bothered by a knee injury much of the latter part of the season, missing six games. He still led the team with eight goals.

``There's no way I'd miss this game,'' Sims said. ``Even if I was 60 or 70 percent, I'd be out there. This is it. The rivalry is intense. I'm ready.''

--Bruins' opener: UCLA (12-4-3), seeded fifth, opens the NCAA men's soccer tournament against Southern Methodist (11-5-3) tonight at 7 at Drake Stadium.

``We take a lot of pride in what we do around here,'' UCLA coach Jorge Salcedo said. ``We've put ourselves in a good spot but we haven't peaked yet.''

The Bruins, led by backline anchored by Marvell Wynne and Patrick Ianni, are undefeated (7-0-1) and unscored upon at home.

``We're focused on SMU, but I'd be lying if I didn't say we're looking ahead somewhat,'' Salcedo said. ``We're three wins away from our goal: the College Cup (final four).''

--In the pool: Loyola Marymount won the Western Water Polo Association title for the third successive year, clinching a berth at the Dec. 3-4 NCAA Championships in Lewisburg, Pa. ... USC is seeded first and UCLA fifth for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men's water polo tournament, to be played Friday, Saturday and Sunday at USC's McDonald's Swim Stadium. Two MPSF teams will advance to the NCAA final four.

Sean Ceglinsky, [phone]

sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com

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