This time there wasn’t quite as much drama.
Just days after escaping with a harrowing last-second road
victory over UNLV, the UCLA women’s soccer team closed out
the nonconference portion of its schedule with a dominating 2-0
defeat of host San Diego on Tuesday night at Torero Stadium.
“A little less gray hair in this one,” coach Jill
Ellis said. “We played well and created some great chances.
It was a very good two halves for us.”
Playing with a three-forward front, the Bruins (7-1-2) put
pressure on the Toreros from the outset before finally capitalizing
on a scoring chance in the 35th minute. Freshman Mary Castelanelli
knifed through the San Diego defense on the right side of the net
and floated a pass to teammate Iris Mora, who beat Torero keeper
Libby Bassett from roughly six yards out to give the Bruins a 1-0
lead.
“It was a good goal,” Mora said. “I saw Mary
with the ball and I always think the ball is coming to me. It was
good to take an early lead.”
Freshman Bristyn Davis added a second-half goal in the 57th
minute to give UCLA its final two-goal cushion. San Diego (6-3-3)
abandoned its conservative strategy in the game’s final 15
minutes in favor of a four-forward attack, but it was unable to
generate much offense.
The Bruins outshot the Toreros 34-5 and generally outplayed a
San Diego team that had defeated Pac-10 foes Arizona and No. 12
Arizona State in its last two games.
“They came out with their tails up a little bit,”
Ellis said. “They were looking forward to playing us, and it
showed. We had to battle to pick up the victory.”
Ellis was able to empty the bench in the second half, using
seven substitutes, including forwards Davis and sophomore Katie
Rivera. The fifth-year coach says she is no closer to naming the
starters at the position.
“I’m not looking for it to be solidified by the
start of conference play,” Ellis said. “They all played
well tonight, so I am not stressed about it. As long as they all
keep doing well, I think it’s a good problem to
have.”
Mora, Lindsay Greco, and Sarah-Gayle Swanson each started
tonight, but Ellis is not sure who will be in the lineup Thursday
when the Bruins host Washington State.
Regardless of who is leading the UCLA attack, it appears the
Bruins are right where they want to be with the conference season
set to begin.
“We’re playing well right now,” Mora said.
“I think we’re ready for anyone.”