COLLEGE WOMEN'S SOCCER: TOUGH DRAWS FOR USC, UCLA.

Byline: RAMONA SHELBURNE  Staff Writer

Last week, it didn't look like either the UCLA or USC women's soccer teams would have much to worry about during Monday's NCAA tournament selection show.

UCLA was riding a 10-match winning streak and USC had played respectably against one of the toughest schedules in the country.

Then they went to Oregon and the Ducks (and Mother Nature) quite literally rained on their parades. Monday, both teams learned how much their misadventures in Eugene would cost them.

For the Bruins, Friday's 2-1 double-overtime loss probably cost them a No. 1 seed. UCLA (17-3) earned a No. 2 regional seed in the 64-team tournament but still received a favorable draw to get back to a fourth straight College Cup.

The No. 2 seed would become important if the Bruins and No. 1 seed Texas both advance through the first two rounds, and UCLA has to travel to Austin for the regional quarterfinals and semifinals.

UCLA coach Jill Ellis preferred not to look too far ahead though.

The Bruins will host UNLV (9-10-3) in a first-round game Friday night 5:30. LMU (10-2-6) and Cal State Fullerton (11-7-2) will play at 8 p.m. The winners of both games will advance to the second round Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

``The loss to Oregon was a good little wake-up call for us,'' said Ellis, who has guided the Bruins to four straight Pac-10 titles. ``It reminded us that we've got to come to play every game.''

For USC, Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Ducks meant a more difficult first round draw. The Trojans (10-4-5) will open at No. 1 seed Santa Clara (15-4-1) on Friday night, with the winner moving on to a second round game against either Stanford or Nevada.

``We're happy to be in,'' USC coach Jim Millinder said. ``I think there was a lot of parity throughout the country. More than there's ever been. But we didn't have a bad loss all year and our defense has been strong all year and we've always thought that if we can get to the tournament and our defense is playing well, we've got a shot against anyone.''

Ironically, the only team not affected by the games in Eugene this weekend was the team that won both of them. Oregon was snubbed by the NCAA selection committee despite its second-place finish in the Pac-10.

``Oregon must be just gutted,'' Ellis said. ``To beat us and USC this weekend and not get in, that's a heartbreaker right there.''

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