UCLA women’s soccer coach Jill Ellis has made a habit of
winning. Taking three consecutive Pac-10 titles, and making three
straight appearances in the College Cup, Ellis has turned the
Bruins into one of the elite programs in the nation.
This year, Ellis is a winner again, but this time in recruiting
battles.
The Bruins signed six players to letters of intent last week to
form a class that is ranked among the best in the nation. Included
in that group is Laura Cheney, who is generally considered to be
the No. 1 recruit in the nation, and five players ranked among the
top 50 recruits in the country according to Soccer Buzz
Magazine.
“It’s an exceptionally strong class,” Ellis
said.
Cheney, a forward from Indiana, is the first player ever to win
both the NSCAA/adidas High School and Youth Player of the Year
awards in the same year. The No. 1 overall recruit in the country,
Cheney is expected to immediately step into the forward spot
vacated by senior All-American Iris Mora.
“They’re different players,” Ellis said of
Mora and Cheney. “Cheney’s a finisher, an out and out
goal scorer. She’ll be able to leave her own mark on this
program.”
Lauren Switzer, a defender from Illinois, and Lauren Wilmoth, a
defender from Texas, were teammates on the Under-17 National Team
and are both top 25 national recruits. Both will be given the
opportunity to replace departing captain and All-American Jill
Oakes along the Bruin backline.
Kristina Larsen, Dea Cook, and Britney Scannell all hail from
California and are expected to provide the Bruins with skill and
depth at multiple positions. Larsen and Cook are ranked among the
top-50 recruits in the nation.
With three recruits coming from outside of California, Ellis has
once again shown the ability to recruit from all over the country.
Last year, Ellis inked the No. 1 overall recruit Kara Lang from
Canada as well as Christina DiMartino from New York. Both were
named freshmen All-Americans this past season.
“We go after the top players,” Ellis said.
“With the Home Depot Center so close (where the National Team
trains) week in and week out we’re able to see the top kids
from all over the country. It’s definitely an
advantage.”
The Bruins have been able to parlay that advantage into strong
recruiting that will help keep UCLA winning on the soccer
field.
“This is a very strong class overall, and these recruits
will help us tremendously next year,” Ellis said.