Sunday’s win over Washington State not only gave the UCLA
women’s soccer team the clear advantage in the race for the
conference title, but it also closed out the regular-season home
careers for six Bruin seniors. “It’s pretty
emotional,” redshirt senior midfielder Stacy Lindstrom said.
“For me, five years with (coach Jill Ellis), basically
she’s my mama, you know? She’s an awesome coach and
person as is the entire coaching staff.” This season’s
senior class includes Lindstrom, Bristyn Davis, Michelle Gleason,
Jessica Harris, Mary Castelanelli and Caitlin Ursini. Each was
honored before playing the Cougars. Castelanelli had a
season-ending knee surgery earlier in the year while Ursini had to
medically retire before the season because of prior knee injuries.
Although only Lindstrom and Davis are starting for the Bruins at
this point in the season, the six have created an indelible legacy
in the UCLA soccer program. In the past three years, the Bruins
have won three consecutive Pac-10 titles and reached three Final
Fours, making appearances in the championship game twice. They are
strong favorites to win yet another conference title and will
likely receive a top seed for the NCAA playoffs. “I talked to
(the seniors) about what they’ve done for this
program,” Ellis said. “They’re just six
outstanding people, and what they’ve contributed on the field
has been fantastic. I told the kids in the locker room (Sunday)
that this isn’t going to be their last home game, so they
can’t get too emotional.” While Sunday was Senior Day,
the six players will likely get the opportunity to host up to four
home games in the playoffs if they receive a No. 1 seed in the NCAA
Tournament. Still, Sunday was a poignant moment for UCLA’s
seniors as they realized that the end of their careers is nearing
every day. “We’re graduating from UCLA as much as we
are from (the team and coaches),” Lindstrom said. “You
grew up with these girls, so as far as Senior Day goes, we just
wanted to have one last good game, but we’re so blessed that
we get to come back and play our playoff games at home.”
HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Bruins closed the
regular-season home schedule with an unblemished 12-0-0 record,
setting a school record for home wins in the process. UCLA has now
won 18 consecutive matches at Drake Stadium and are unbeaten in
their last 23. Luckily for the Bruins, they will likely be able to
host several playoff games if they continue to take care of
business through the last weekend of conference play. “The
home field, and just the surface with the kids being in a
comfortable environment, has a lot to do with how they play,”
Ellis said. “We’ve talked a lot about if we can finish
off strong. Hopefully, we can get a top seed and be home for the
playoffs. It’s important ““ we know we like playing here
and we do well here.”