It was the tale of two matches for Arianna Criscione. Though the
No. 3 UCLA women’s soccer team won twice over the weekend
against the Arizona schools, the freshman goalkeeper noticed a
marked improvement in her play from the first match to the second.
“I’m a lot happier today,” Criscione said after
Sunday’s match with Arizona. And with good reason. On Friday,
Criscione made a few poor decisions, coming off her line when she
should have stayed to protect the net. Twice during the match she
was caught way out of position, giving Arizona State players looks
at an open net. She also called her kicking “very
poor.” Fortunately for the Bruins, Arizona State
couldn’t capitalize on its opportunities. The Sun
Devils’ Elizabeth Bogus missed on a crucial try that would
have tied the match 2-2 in the 71st minute, sending her shot off
the right post. “There were a couple of times that I was a
little iffy about what to do,” Criscione said. Coach Jill
Ellis, though happy with the win, pointed out the need for her
freshman to improve. “To be honest, Arianna’s
decision-making needs to be better,” Ellis said Friday.
“A couple times she came when she should have stayed.
That’s just part of her getting some experience.” Maybe
the day off between matches was all Criscione needed, as she made
much better decisions against Arizona, registering her second
shutout of the season. “It was better today,” Ellis
said after Criscione’s solid performance Sunday.
“It’s just gaining confidence. She’s our keeper
right now. We just want her to keep getting better, and she did
that today.”
THE WALL: Many defenders fear one-on-one
match-ups against talented forwards. Not Nandi Pryce. Pryce, a
senior captain and All-American defender, relishes the rare
opportunities when she gets to take on the opponents’ best.
“I put my hands down like, come on, come on, come on, come at
me, come at me,” Pryce said. “I don’t touch the
ball very much, so when I do touch it, I get really excited.”
Pryce demonstrated her ability late in the second half of
Sunday’s match. Arizona forward Candice Wilks appeared to
have a sure goal after getting behind the stunned UCLA defense, but
Pryce closed the gap in mere seconds, shut down Wilks, and kept the
shutout intact. “She looks at a one-on-one opportunity as a
personal challenge,” Ellis said. “She takes it
personally when she gets beat.”
INJURY UPDATE: Freshman defender Mary
Castelanelli likely will not play Wednesday against Loyola
Marymount, Ellis said. Castelanelli, who is suffering from a
herniated disc in her back, will warm up with the team, and her
status will be a game-time decision. According to Ellis,
Castelanelli will probably need surgery after the season. In the
meantime, she will play sparingly to rest for the postseason.
Sophomore midfielder Stacy Lindstrom, who injured her ankle Oct. 17
against Stanford, will not start Wednesday. Lindstrom, who saw
limited action over the weekend, is still nursing the effects of
the injury.