Storm Defends Zurich Title

The MSL’s St. Louis Storm successfully defended its Zurich New Year’s Indoor Soccer Tournament championship Thursday with a 4-2 victory over Czechoslovakia’s Slavia Prague in the final game.

The Storm finished round-robin play with a 4-1 record, its only loss coming to the same Prague team it defeated in the title game.

The Storm was a bit surprised to find two former Major Soccer League players on opposing teams. Erik Rasmussen (in the MSL from 1984-89) now plays for Copenhagen Brondby IF, and Michael Collins (1981-91) is trying out with Grasshopper-Zurich. Collins played for the Sockers last season.

The tournament’s championship game will be televised by the Univision cable network Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. (PST).

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

San Diego State, which upset USC earlier this season, will try to make it two for two against Pacific 10 teams tonight when the Aztecs play host to UCLA at 7:30 p.m. at Peterson Gym.

Tonight’s nonconference game also features two All-American candidates in Kieishsha Garnes (averaging 20 points and 7.8 rebounds per game) and the Bruins’ Rehema Stephens (19.8-point average). SDSU is 6-3, UCLA 5-3.