Now that the stress fracture in her back has healed, sophomore
defender Mary Castelanelli is finally back in the starting lineup
for the UCLA women’s soccer team. And that, coach Jill Ellis
said, is very good news. “I’m elated that she’s
back,” Ellis said. “Mary helps us tremendously with her
experience. I called her after the Santa Clara game Sunday to thank
her because she could have redshirted but she knows we need
her.” Though Castelanelli is not in game shape and
doesn’t look comfortable challenging opposing forwards yet,
her return has already bolstered UCLA’s back line. It also
has allowed Ellis to slide senior Jill Oakes into the midfield,
where she has been most productive. Castelanelli, the No. 16
recruit in the nation last year, spent a week in training camp last
month with the U.S. Under-19 National Team, but did not have enough
time to showcase her ability and returned to UCLA. Had she made the
team, Castelanelli would have redshirted the season, leaving a void
in the Bruin defense heading into the conference season. “For
me, it was a win-win situation,” Castelanelli said.
“I’m glad to be back (at UCLA) with my teammates. These
are all my best friends.” Although her short stint in U-19
camp didn’t land her a spot on the team, it did get her
noticed by some of the higher-ups at the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Ellis said that Mark Krikorian, head coach of the U-19 team, told
her that he planned to pass her name to April Heinrichs, the coach
of the U.S. National Team. As a freshman, Castelanelli played in 14
games last season before sustaining the back injury. She tallied
four assists and proved to be one of the Bruins’ most capable
young players.
JAMES EXCELS: Ellis said she is particularly
pleased with the play of junior Crystal James, who has been a force
for the Bruins off the bench. James has played in all 10 games,
registering three assists, and generated several good scoring
chances in overtime against Santa Clara on Sunday.
“She’s been the heart and soul of our team,”
Ellis said. “I can’t say enough positive things about
her.”
QUICK KICKS: Midfielder Caitlin Ursini, who
fractured her wrist against Utah on Friday, will miss at least two
more weeks. … After splitting a pair of home games against Utah
and No. 15 Santa Clara, UCLA remained in the top 10 in the national
rankings but fell one spot to No. 8 this week.