Freshmen are supposed to live in fear of their senior
counterparts. They are tolerated, but not liked.
Though maybe the norm, this scenario is certainly not the case
on the UCLA women’s soccer team. The Bruin freshmen, who
comprise the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class, are not only
talented young women capable of making an immediate impact on the
field, they are an integral part of the team’s national title
hopes.
Even on a team returning nine of its 11 starters, three freshmen
have a chance to contribute immediately. They are, according to
head coach Jillian Ellis, forward Bristyn Davis, midfielder
Stephanie Kron and defender Mary Castelanelli. All have
international experience on the Under-19 U.S. team.
“They’ve come in to practices and they’ve
stepped right in to the speed of play and the physical
nature,” Ellis said. “They’re players that are
probably ready and we’re looking for them to step in right
away.”
Davis, arguably the most prized recruit of the bunch, journeyed
to Westwood from Locust Valley, N.Y. The decision to make the
cross-country move, however, wasn’t entirely her own, as
there was already another Davis playing soccer at UCLA.
Bristyn’s brother, Chadd, won a national championship with
the men’s soccer team last year.
“He said, “˜UCLA’s the best school,
there’s no place better,'” Davis said.
Not a bad recruiting ploy.
And not a bad recruiting prize.
Davis was named National Player of the Year by Student Sports
Magazine after scoring 32 goals her senior season. Her high school,
St. Anthony’s, won the state title and finished the season
ranked No. 5 nationally.
This last summer, Davis helped the Under-21 U.S. National Team
win its fifth straight Nordic Cup title. She was called up to the
U-21 team after a four-goal showing against Canada as a member of
the Under-19 U.S. National Team.
In three high school seasons, Davis scored an astonishing 76
goals.
“Bristyn finds a way to score goals,” Ellis said.
“She’s not the most technical player, but she breaks
down defenses, gets in behind defenses, and is opportunistic when
she shoots. She’s a goal scorer.”
Kron, the nation’s No. 14 recruit according to Soccer
America, has a legitimate shot to start in a very competitive Bruin
midfield. She was a first-team Parade All-American, an NSCAA/adidas
All-American, and a McDonald’s All-American in 2003.
“Watching UCLA through the tournament last year, and just
knowing that coming here I could make a contribution and just help
out is good enough,” Kron said.
Castelanelli, a defender, was also a decorated high school star.
She was Soccer America’s No. 16 recruit, a Parade
All-American and an NSCAA/adidas All-American in 2003. She also has
extensive U-19 experience.
Probably most impressive about this freshman class is not the
accolades with which it enters college, but rather the immediate
impression it has made on the upperclassmen.
“(This class) is huge,” senior Nandi Pryce
said. “Their work rate and their attitude brings a
spark. They’re young, and they haven’t been here that
long, so they’re supposed to be scared of the seniors, but
that stuff doesn’t matter anymore. We just want to come
together as a team.”
Aside from the three freshmen who may contribute immediately,
this incoming class has other talented players who will undoubtedly
contribute down the road.
Forward Christina Eskridge, midfielder Caitlin Ursini,
goalkeeper Arianna Criscione, and defenders Michelle Gleason and
Jessica Harris make up the rest of UCLA’s talented freshman
class.