As far as the realm of UCLA men’s soccer coaching goes,
uncertainties abound. But as far as the program’s outlook on
the field is concerned, the future remains bright.
According to UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, the ongoing
coaching search will not affect the signing of players who had been
recruited under then-coach Tom Fitzgerald’s regime. Nor will
the department hasten its search for Fitzgerald’s
replacement.
“We have some verbal commitments from several guys and
we’re confident that they’re going to sign
(Wednesday),” Guerrero said. “So really there’s
no urgency right now.
At least five prep players are expected to submit their letters
of intent today, with Mike Zaher, one of the nation’s top
high school midfielders, among them.
Joining Zaher are forwards Kamani Hill (Berkeley High) and
Richard Flores (Animo High), as well as defenders Greg Folk and
Marvell Wynne (Poway High).
Folk, who quit playing high school soccer after his sophomore
season at Sherman Oaks-Notre Dame to play with the under-17 U.S.
national team, will graduate from high school a year early to join
UCLA.
Hill is widely regarded as one of the best prep forwards in the
country. He recently scored two goals in Berkeley’s 4-1 win
over Encinal.
There had originally been speculation that Fitzgerald’s
resignation could affect possible recruits.
NET GAIN: In women’s soccer, star
goalkeeper Val Henderson (Miramonte High) is expected to join the
Bruins next season.
Henderson, who has experience playing with the under-19 U.S.
national team, will likely challenge for the starting position next
season.
This season’s starter, freshman Arianna Criscione, only
gained the starting position after 2002 starter Sarah Lombardo
sustained a season-ending injury midway through the season.
In the team’s final game, a 3-0 loss to eventual-champion
North Carolina in the College Cup semifinals, Criscione was almost
solely responsible for the Tar Heels’ second goal. Near the
end of the first half, the freshman completely whiffed a back pass
from defender Kathryn Lee and the ball trickled into the net.
Because of her national team experience, Henderson is a more
highly touted recruit than both Criscione and Lombardo.
With reports from Jeff Eisenberg, Bruin sports senior
staff.