When senior defender Jill Oakes says that the defense of the
UCLA women’s soccer team is in a groove, it’s something
of an understatement. Consider for a minute what the No. 4 Bruins
(20-1-2) have done in the first three rounds of the NCAA
tournament. In three matches, UCLA has outscored its opponents 16-0
and while the offense is scoring goals in record numbers, the
defense has been arguably more impressive. “I think across
our backline and including our keeper, we’ve really learned
how each other plays,” Oakes said. “We know where each
other is going to be without necessarily saying anything or having
to look and see them.” It’s that kind of understanding
among teammates that has kept the records falling. With the victory
over Marquette, UCLA has 16 shutouts this season, an all-time
school record. The Bruins are unbeaten in their last 18 matches,
also a record. “Our back four is a solid back four,”
assistant coach Joe Mallia said. “One v. one defensively,
their ideas and tactics of the game defensively, their cover, on
the ball they do tremendously well. It’s a great
backline.” And it’s been nothing short of spectacular
in the NCAA tournament. Mississippi Valley State managed no shots
against the Bruins in the first round. Colorado had seven shots but
failed to find the net in the team’s second match. The UCLA
defense appeared to step it up another notch in the third round,
holding No. 12 Marquette to two shots, neither of which was on
target. Sophomore goalkeeper Val Henderson was able to notch her
ninth shutout of the season without making a save. Against a team
like Mississippi Valley State, that might be expected. But against
Marquette, a team that had lost only three times in the tough Big
East conference, two shots allowed is astounding. “Marquette
is a great team,” senior forward Iris Mora said.
“It’s a very complete team. But we were
better.”
BACK AT FULL STRENGTH: When the Bruins take the
field Friday night against Virginia in the quarterfinals, a welcome
face will make its return to the UCLA sideline. It’s the face
of coach Jill Ellis, who was shown a red card in the team’s
second round match against Colorado and was consequently suspended
for the third round against Marquette. Though Ellis was allowed to
watch the match, she couldn’t coach.