Often, the challenge for teams as talented as the No. 5 UCLA
women’s soccer team is not their opponents, but in staying
healthy and playing up to their capabilities.
It seems the Bruins will have to rise up and face those
challenges head on, as the injury bug has once again hit the team
in a dramatic way.
Mary Castelanelli, a senior defender and co-captain, suffered a
season-ending injury to her left knee during the 64th minute of
Sunday’s match against Pepperdine. The injury also ends
Castelanelli’s collegiate career, as she has already used her
redshirt year and is not eligible for a medical redshirt because
she has appeared in too many games this season.
“It’s hard not to have her here,” said fellow
senior and co-captain Bristyn Davis. “She’s a big part
of our team, and a friend also. It’s a big loss, but it also
gives us something to play for. We want to play for her because she
can’t.”
Castelanelli was a four-year starter for UCLA. She played an
important leadership role this year, providing a veteran presence
to an incredibly young defensive corps. She was also the
Bruins’ best attacking defender, creating scoring
opportunities with her runs up the wing.
With her loss, sophomore Erin Hardy suddenly becomes the veteran
along the backline. Freshmen Lauren Wilmoth, Lauren Switzer and
Lydia Cook will now see increased defensive roles. Sophomore
Catherine Calvert, who has seen most of her playing time in the
midfield, is also a candidate to play some at defender.
“(The injury) leaves us young in the back, but I think
they’re talented enough to step in,” coach Jill Ellis
said. “We have players that are capable of playing.
It’s just how quickly we can gel.”
UCLA was already without the services of sophomore Kara Lang,
because of a knee injury she suffered while training with the
Canadian national team. Senior Caitlin Ursini also had to end her
collegiate career because of knee injuries.
NATIONAL TEAM CALLS: Junior Danesha Adams has
been missing practices lately, but she has a good excuse. Adams
received her first call-up to the full U.S. national team for a
week-long training camp at the Home Depot Center.
The team is preparing for a match Sunday at 1 p.m., against
Chinese Taipei. Adams will likely miss UCLA’s match against
San Diego on Friday. If she is selected for the 18-person national
roster, she will miss the Bruins’ game against Gonzaga on
Sunday as well.
Adams previously starred this summer for the Under-20 and
Under-21 national teams in international competition.
FRESHMAN STARS: As the consensus No. 1 recruit
in the country, high expectations were placed on freshman forward
Lauren Cheney. She has lived up to that billing, leading the Bruins
in scoring with five goals in only five games.
“Even though she’s young, she’s got a lot of
experience,” Ellis said. “She’s done very well,
scored some good goals for us and had a good impact on the
team.”
Cheney spent the past summer playing for the U.S. U-20 national
team and has also been called into three training camps for the
full team despite her young age.