Every great team has a great leader. For the UCLA women’s
soccer team, that leader is Nandi Pryce.
Pryce, an All-American senior defender, will lead the Bruins
tonight in the team’s Pac-10 opener against Washington State
at Drake Stadium .
“It’s important that there’s someone to
organize and someone to encourage,” Pryce said. “I love
it. My voice is gone because I love it so much.”
Pryce anchors the middle of a formidable UCLA defense that has
already posted six shutouts in 10 games.
“Nandi is kind of our elder statesman out there,”
head coach Jill Ellis said. “She takes care of her role, but
her job is also to keep the whole team clicking.”
So far this season, Pryce and the Bruins have clicked well. They
enter today’s game with a 7-1-2 record and a No. 3 national
ranking. UCLA holds a 21-9 edge over its opponents in goals scored,
and a 217-54 advantage in shots taken.
But no one is looking past Washington State (4-6-0). Despite a
subpar record, the Cougars have played one of the toughest
non-conference schedules in the nation, facing No. 1 North
Carolina, No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 15 Duke and No. 16 Wake
Forest.
“Their record is definitely deceiving,” Ellis said.
“Washington State last year was probably our toughest game in
the Pac-10.”
Quite a compliment, considering UCLA actually lost a Pac-10 game
to Stanford. Last season, the Bruins, who are 8-1-1 in the all-time
series between the teams, beat the Cougars 2-1 in Pullman, Wash.
Sarah-Gayle Swanson scored in the 64th minute to seal the
victory.
“They’re a dangerous team,” Ellis said.
“They’ve got some good speed and good size. I have
tremendous respect for them.”
Today’s game is important for Pryce and the UCLA defense
for a few reasons. Of course winning is paramount, but the team
also set a very ambitious goal for itself at the beginning of the
season.
“Our goal was a maximum of 10 goals allowed for the
regular season,” Ellis said.
Though the team is still under that total, it’s certainly
going to be tough. Through 10 games, the Bruins have surrendered
nine goals. Five of them came in a loss to No. 1 North
Carolina.
“To give away five to Carolina was distressing,”
Ellis said. “But I think we’ve learned from it. Just
based on last night (a 2-0 win over USD), our back line is playing
better. The understanding is coming.”
To achieve its goal, the defense will be looking to shut teams
out the rest of the way.
“If we win 2-1, they’re pissed that they gave up a
goal,” Ellis said. “That’s how defenders are.
They take great pride in what they do.”
And Pryce takes great pride in her team.