COLLEGE STATION, Texas “”mdash; It wasn’t supposed to end
this way, not this time, not this year.
After reaching the College Cup for the third consecutive year,
the third time was supposed to be the charm for UCLA’s two
decorated seniors, captain and defender Jill Oakes and forward Iris
Mora, to finally win that elusive first title.
But it was not meant to be on Sunday, as Portland’s own
star senior Christine Sinclair stole the day with two goals
propelling to the Pilots to their second national title in four
years.
Gracious in defeat, however, the senior Bruins maintained
perspective after capping off their brilliant All-American
careers.
“When you come (to the College Cup), you have to prepare
for two things: win or lose,” Mora said. “I was
prepared. I’m happy because I’m done and I’m
happy because I’m proud of my team.”
Although tears were shed and emotions ran high following the
Bruins’ loss by many of UCLA’s underclassmen, the two
seniors held their heads high. The players had wanted so badly to
win a title for Oakes and Mora, both of whom had given so much to
the program over the past four years.
“We’re never going to play with this same team
again,” said freshman Kara Lang. “We’re going to
miss Jill and Iris, and I’m so happy that I got the chance to
play with them. I learned a lot from them this year.”
The pair of seniors held their heads high in defeat, and were
proud of their teammates, regardless of the outcome. In a final
show of their constant class representing UCLA, Oakes and Mora
received the national runner-up trophy together and congratulated
Portland.
“It is disappointing (not to win), but there’s more
to life than soccer,” Oakes said. “What I’m going
to take away with me are all the friendships and all the wonderful
memories, just all the hard work and camaraderie, and the journey
to get here.”
What Oakes and Mora have given to the Bruins soccer-wise has
been nothing short of spectacular. Both top-10 recruits in 2002,
the pair would become the bedrock for a team that has elevated
itself to elite status in the world of collegiate soccer.
Mora finishes her career as the all-time leader in NCAA scoring,
and second all-time overall. Her crafty ball skills and ability to
set-up her teammates allowed to break her own her own single season
assist record this year with 15, and she is also the UCLA all-time
career leader by a wide margin with 38.
Oakes began her Bruin career as a midfielder, but made the
switch to defender full-time and anchoring the UCLA backline
through on of the best defenses in school history. What Oakes is
most proud of however is what she and Iris were able to accomplish
in building up the UCLA program and setting it up for the
future.
“I think we set a standard for UCLA soccer,” Oakes
said. “Iris and I really implemented this winner’s
mentality. We didn’t get one, but there’s a UCLA
national championship right around the corner and it’s going
to be somebody on this team that’s going to bring it home.
Hopefully I’ll be right there in the stands to witness it,
because I’m a Bruin for life. I’m just really proud of
our team.”