Abbott Is Out for the Season After Surgery

Charger kicker Vince Abbott underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday and will be sidelined for the rest of the season, San Diego coach Al Saunders said.

Free agent Steve DeLine, who was released during training camp, was signed to take Abbott’s place. DeLine worked out Wednesday.

Abbott damaged his right knee during last Sunday’s game at Atlanta, won by San Diego, 10-7, when he took a bad step while running downfield on a kickoff return. He was 8 of 12 on field goal attempts in his second season with the Chargers.

Of DeLine’s preseason performance, Saunders said, “He kicked a 40-yarder for us and just barely missed a 50-yarder. He has a very strong leg. That’s his greatest strength.”

SOCCER

The UC San Diego men’s team will try to win the school’s first men’s national title when it opens the NCAA Division III championship tournament today in New York.

The Tritons (21-0-2) play Messiah of Pennsylvania (18-2-1), and host Rochester Institute of Technology (15-0-1) plays Salem State (17-2-2) in the other semifinal. The championship game is Saturday.

UCSD advanced to the final in 1986, losing to North Carolina-Greensboro after defeating Messiah, 2-1, in the semifinals.

YACHTING

The Swedish Twelve Meter Assn. has been added to the list of challengers for America’s Cup XXVII, bringing the number to 24, Sail America Foundation announced.

BASKETBALL

Nevada Las Vegas outscored San Diego-based Athletes In Action, 15-0, over the final 4 minutes 5 seconds and went on to win, 105-98, at UNLV. Zack Jones scored 26 points, and Lorenzo Romar had 19 for AIA (6-10).