The 2003 season started the same way last season ended for the Penn State men's soccer team -- in California, with a loss.

The good news: At least this game was a little closer.

On a goal by junior forward Joe Zewe in the 23rd minute, the No. 16 Nittany Lions (0-2) actually led 1-0 before falling 5-2 to No. 1 UCLA (2-0) Friday at the Soccer Town Classic and subsequently lost 2-0 against host Cal State Fullerton on Sunday.

At last year's Elite Eight, an early red card led to an ugly 7-1 loss to eventual national champ UCLA.

"We were happy with the first half at UCLA," said Penn State head soccer coach Barry Gorman. "We allowed them a goal at the end of the first half and four goals at the beginning of the second half that kills you psychologically."

The assassin was UCLA forward Matt Taylor who netted a hat trick in a matter of 13 minutes. The déjà vu from last year's Dec. 8 loss just kept coming; Taylor scored his first career hat trick to end the Lions' 2002 national championship run. Of course, the Lions recognized the offensive prowess of Taylor -- UCLA's leading goal-scorer from last year; but Gorman said it wasn't so much fancy moves with the ball, as it was his ability to put himself in position to score.

"Taylor is a good player who's going to snap up chances," Gorman said, "but he didn't do anything special."

After a year away from the team, senior Eric Earnhardt got the start in goal against UCLA. Earnhardt seemed to have his share of struggles, giving up five goals on nine shots. For the moment, Gorman said, Earnhardt has lost his starting job to freshman Matt Novchich.

"Not that I think they were all his fault, but if you give up five goals your going to lose your place," Gorman said. "As a senior [Earnhardt has] to be able to keep balls out of the back of the net and organize the defense in front of you."

Earnhardt, however, didn't receive a whole lot of help. UCLA had 19 shots to only six from Penn State's. Penn State also lost corner kicks, 12-0.

"As a staff we're not happy with how we played [against UCLA]," Gorman said.

UCLA's Chad Barrett also scored a goal in the 68th minute and Lion's forward Kenji Treschuk rounded out the scoring in the 81st minute.

The team's match-up did not improve much in the second match-up of the Soccer Town Classic 3 Tournament, when a shorthanded Penn State squad was upset 2-0 by Cal State Fullerton.

After 53 minutes of scoreless play, Penn State midfielder Pasi Karpinnen received his second yellow card of the match, ensuring demise in the process.

"The first [yellow card] we can accept, but the second one was rash, impetuous and silly," Gorman said. "Pasi is a junior and has to be more responsible and be careful of his actions."

The Lions will have to assemble a game plan without Karpinnen, who will be suspended for the game against Bradley following his ejection Sunday night.

Fullerton's Ignacio Cid netted two goals against the undermanned opposition, and the 16th ranked Nittany Lions slipped to 0-2 on the young season.

Although allowing two goals, freshman goalkeeper Matt Novchich played solid in net, and earned the admiration from Penn State men's soccer coach Barry Gorman.

"Matt did very well, he couldn't be blamed for the goals," Gorman said.

Gorman also said that the goal keeper position is now Novchich's to lose.