Wednesday, October 23, 1996
WOMEN’S SOCCER:
UCLA has never lost to Trojans, but rivals have improved By Brad
Zucker
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The traditional western showdown between USC and UCLA may have
its roots on the gridiron, but there are a couple of new
gunslingers in town.
And when Traci Arkenberg rides into Trojan territory on
Wednesday afternoon, the roads between the Los Angeles Coliseum and
Westwood will clear the way for a shootout between the Bruins’ star
and the new ‘sheriff’ in town, USC freshman Isabelle Harvey.
With six game-winning goals on the season, Arkenberg is used to
playing the role of the villain. In fact, the Southern California
native was ranked eighth in the nation in game-winning goals in
1995.
But USC (11-4-0, 3-2-0) has a weapon of their own in Harvey. In
her first collegiate season, Harvey has scored 15 goals and 37
points, both Trojan records. Additionally, the USC squad has scored
more than three goals in 10 of their 15 games.
Arkenberg, however, isn’t worried.
"You have to look at who all those goals were against," the
All-American candidate said. "We have a very strong defense, and
we’re not going to do anything different."
One thing that is different, however, is the presence of USC’s
head coach Jim Milinder. In his first year with the Trojans, after
leaving Loyola Marymount University, Milinder’s team has already
compiled the most wins for USC in a single season.
"A loss to ‘SC would put a big damper on our season," Arkenberg
said. "USC has never beaten us, so this game is very big for
us."
However, the game is especially important for the Trojans. With
two losses in the Pac 10 thus far, a third to the Bruins would take
them out of contention for an automatic NCAA tournament bid that
accompanies the conference championship.
"It all hinges on the UCLA game," Milinder said. "It’s no secret
that they’re a great defensive team, so we will have to
execute.
"Obviously, stopping Arkenberg is the key, but we also have to
defend (Louise) Lieberman and Sherice Bartling."
Indeed, the key to shutting down the Bruin offensive attack is
to keep Arkenberg away from the goal. The junior forward has scored
at least one goal in seven games this year, and each time the
Bruins have won. In her career, UCLA has gone 28-2-3 when she has
put the ball in the net.
Last Friday afternoon against Washington, however, it was
another Bruin veteran who came up with the game-winner. Senior
defender Sue Skenderian, who has started more games than any player
in UCLA history, scored the only goal of the game in
double-overtime to give the Bruins the victory.
But goals against the Trojans this season are few and far
between. In 15 games, USC has given up only 17 goals, a testament
to Milinder’s coaching style.
"I remember how (Milinder) coached at LMU, so I expect USC to
play more physical than in the past," Arkenberg said.
Milinder, on the other hand, gives the credit to his
players.
"We have more quality players this year," the Trojan coach said.
"The players know what is expected of them, and all of the pieces
of the puzzle are coming together.
"We’ve really developed strong chemistry as a team."
Both teams are currently on an upswing. The Bruins are
undefeated in their last nine games and have won six straight,
while the Trojans strung together five consecutive wins of their
own. For UCLA, the key has been improvement on the defensive side
of the ball.
Feeling the effects of several injuries in the first five games
of the season, the Bruins gave up eight goals and shut out only one
opponent. Since then, however, UCLA has shut out six opponents and
dropped their goals-against average to 0.82.
Milinder believes that defeating a high profile team like UCLA
would do wonders for his team’s confidence.
"USC has never beaten UCLA," the coach said. "It’s important to
get the attitude that comes along with winning."
UCLA Sports Info
Sherice Bartling and team will play USC at the L.A. Coliseum.JON
FERREY/Daily Bruin
UCLA’s Sherice Bartling (#17).