Champion Bruin Kickers to Open Season Monday

The defending national champion UCLA men’s soccer team opens its 1986 season at Westmont College Monday at 7:30 p.m.

The Bruins, who defeated America University 1-0 in eight overtimes in Seattle last December to win the NCAA title, return 15 lettermen, including Paul Caligiuri, Tom Silvas and Jeff Hooker.

Caligiuri, a senior All-American defender, was the United States’ lone representative in the recent FIFA/UNICEF World All-Star Game, where he teamed with Diego Maradona of Argentina.

Silvas, a senior forward, was the team’s second-leading scorer last year with 10 goals and nine assists.

Hooker, a junior forward, was a 1983 letterman but sat out the last two seasons while he played on the U.S. Olympic National team.

UCLA was 20-1-4 last year.