After steamrolling their first three playoff opponents by a
total score of 16-0, it appears nothing can stop the top-seeded
UCLA women’s soccer team (20-1-2) from making its third
consecutive College Cup appearance.
As their recent play indicates, the Bruins have clearly hit
their stride in the playoffs, dominating their opponents
offensively and defensively, and their incredible play of late
stems from one thing: confidence.
“Good soccer comes from two things: confidence and
talent,” said coach Jill Ellis. “When you’re
playing good soccer, you’re hopefully shutting down your
opponent and scoring goals. I think at this point they’ve got
confidence; they’re definitely not overconfident.”
These Bruins definitely aren’t about to let their
confidence allow them to overlook their ultimate goal of a national
title. On Friday, the No. 4-ranked Bruins will take on
second-seeded Virginia (18-5-1), and UCLA is thoroughly focused on
the task at hand.
“We’re ready,” said senior captain Jill Oakes.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for all year. We know
what (Virginia) is all about. We’re going to have our arsenal
of tactics, too.”
While UCLA is clearly favored to make a repeat appearance in the
College Cup, the Bruins don’t expect the Cavaliers to just
roll over and concede anything.
“They’re a very good team coming out of the
(Atlantic Coast Conference), which is a great conference,”
Ellis said. “It’s going to be a very good game.
It’ll be two very good soccer teams playing. It’ll be
worth its admission.”
This UCLA team has definitely been worth the price of admission
all year. This season, the Bruins have set school records for wins
(20) and shutouts (16). They are also currently riding an 18-game
unbeaten streak, another school record, and have outscored their
opponents 61-8.
“Our theme this year has been to be a blue-collar
team,” said Ellis. “There have been times we’ve
had to graft out wins, and we’ve been in every scenario.
We’ve been up goals, down goals, we’ve tied and
lost.”
This season of experience has forged the Bruins’
confidence and will to win. The team’s ability to handle any
situation, however, belies their relative inexperience.
UCLA’s starting lineup features a grand total of four
freshmen and only two seniors.
The Bruins have been able to lean on their two seniors, Oakes
and forward Iris Mora, to lead them, and the two All-Americans have
not disappointed, bringing talent, skill and leadership to UCLA
throughout their careers.
Although Friday they will have the opportunity to reach a third
consecutive College Cup, the game will also be bittersweet because
it will be their last home game at UCLA.
“This is literally the very last time I’ll ever step
out onto Drake Stadium as a UCLA Bruin,” Oakes said.
“There’s a lot of pride that I’m playing for
““ personal pride and school pride ““ that I’m just
trying to live up to and represent UCLA for the last time to the
best that I can.”
These Bruins won’t dwell too long on the past, though, as
their focus remains on Friday’s match with Virginia.
Ellis knows her seniors will be able to handle their emotions
and lead the Bruins as they always have.
“Now isn’t the time for getting sentimental,”
Ellis said. “I think, at this point, it’s looking at it
as our opportunity to go to the College Cup. So I don’t think
(the seniors) will be misty-eyed. I think they’ll be locked
on and focused on what they need to do to help the team.”
And you can be sure Mora and Oakes will be focused on only one
thing: winning a national title.