COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: UCLA, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE RECEIVE NCAA SOCCER SEEDS.

Byline: Scott French Staff Writer

UCLA and Cal State Northridge received first-round byes Monday when the NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament bracket was released.

The Bruins (12-4-3), seeded fifth after winning the Pacific-10 Conference championship, will open their postseason next Tuesday night at Drake Stadium against the winner of Friday's game in Dallas between San Francisco and SMU.

CSUN (14-3-3), seeded 15th after capturing the Big West Conference title, will play Tuesday afternoon at home against San Diego State or conference rival UC Santa Barbara, who face off Saturday night.

It's the Matadors' third successive trip to the NCAA Tournament, but they're looking for their first victory.

``We're in the playoffs again, but we still need to win a game,'' said CSUN coach Terry Davila. ``We feel we match up well against anyone. We have a tough team.''

The Bruins are seeking their fifth NCAA title.

``Any coach hopes to be a top-eight seed, because you're assured of two home games,'' coach Jorge Salcedo said. ``With the third game, it doesn't matter where you're playing, becayuse it's for the College Cup (final four), and you just hope to be playing in that game, no matter where it is.''

--Honor roll: A stunner from the All-Pacific-10 women's soccer team: UCLA's Jill Oakes (Harvard-Westlake of Studio City), the conference's top player, was bypassed in favor of Arizona midfielder Mallory Miller as Player of the Year. Oakes and teammates Danesha Adams and Valerie Henderson were first-team selections, joined by USC's Rosa Anna Tantillo and Amy Rodriguez, the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.

In the Big West Conference, CSUN's Brianna Monka (Rio Mesa of Oxnard) was the Midfielder of the Year and Cal State Fullerton's Kellie Cox (Quartz Hill) was Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Defender Erica Janke (Simi Valley) was among seven first-team selections from Fullerton, which has reached the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time.

--Also: UCLA women's volleyball coach Andy Banachowski registered his 1,000th career victory Saturday when the Bruins handed second-ranked Washington its first loss of the season. Bruins setter Nellie Spicer was selected AVCA National Player of the Week after the 3-2 triumph. ... Thomas Hale and Juraj Zatovic scored three goals apiece as No. 1 USC beat No. 2 Cal 10-9 Saturday at Berkeley in men's water polo. ... UCLA's Ashley Caldwell finished third Saturday at the NCAA West Regional at Stanford, qualifiying for Monday's NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Austin Ramos also qualified, finishing ninth in the men's race. ... SCIAC champion Occidental (9-0) will open the NCAA Division III football playoffs Saturday at Linfield, Ore. Cal Lutheran (8-1) wasn't invited into the 32-team field.

Sean Ceglinsky contributed.

Scott French, [phone]

scott.french(at)dailynews.com