The key to any championship team often proves to be veteran
leadership. Those with experience stand up and lead and show
younger players what it takes to be a winner. This weekend’s
matches against Arizona and Arizona State will mark the last two
regular-season games for two of the most decorated UCLA
women’s soccer players ever to don the blue and gold ““
senior defender Jill Oakes and senior forward Iris Mora. Entering
UCLA in 2002, both Oakes and Mora were named top-10 recruits by
Soccer America, and over their careers, they have helped build up
the Bruins into one of the elite soccer programs in the nation.
“Our seniors have been just instrumental in building our
program,” coach Jill Ellis said. “They’re two of
the strongest players we’ve ever had, and two just wonderful
people.” These two talented players have more than lived up
to the expectations placed on them coming into UCLA four years ago.
Last year, Oakes and Mora earned second- and third-team
All-American honors respectively, with both being named All-Pac-10
first team. “Iris’ contributions can probably be
measured in assists and goals, but Jill has equally been invaluable
to our organization defensively,” Ellis said. “We
haven’t given up too many goals (this season) and a big part
of that is Jill and her leadership.” Coach Ellis’
assessment of her two star seniors couldn’t be more fitting.
Mora, also a member of the Mexican National Team, will leave UCLA
as the Bruins’ second all-time points leader. She also
currently holds the record in assists, with 32. She leads the
Pac-10 in assists with nine after having led the conference in
helpers a year ago. Oakes, who made her debut with the United
States National Team earlier this year, serves as UCLA captain. She
previously played midfield for the Bruins before switching to
defender this year. She has excelled, anchoring a backline that has
helped post 13 shutouts and a minuscule 0.32 goals against average.
Both totals lead the Pac-10. She is also the fourth-leading scorer
on the team. Ellis liked what each player was able to bring to the
Bruins in helping lead the team this year to a No. 4 national
ranking. They have played integral roles in back-to-back College
Cup appearances the past two years. “Iris is a very emotional
player,” Ellis said. “Iris is the dynamic fiery
dribbler, and Jill is very calm, keeps us organized, keeps us
composed. They’ve been a wonderful complement to each
other.” This weekend, however, these two decorated Bruins
will play their final home games. Ellis expects the pair to lead
UCLA to another deep run in the playoffs. “We don’t
want it to end,” Ellis said. “We’re not really
looking at this weekend as the end of their legacy or their impact.
We want to keep going.”
EXTRA NOTES: Mora was previously named a
first-team All-American in 2003, while Oakes was a freshman
All-American in 2002. The pair also shares six All-Pac-10
selections between them. If both are named All-Pac-10 this year,
they would become the first two players in UCLA history to be
four-time selections. Both could potentially be the first
three-time All-Americans in Bruin history as well. Camille Toney, a
reserve forward who has appeared in 11 career matches, will also be
honored on Sunday. Toney played two seasons at South Carolina
before transferring to UCLA.