W. SOCCER Friday, 5:30 p.m. v. UNLV Drake
Stadium
When the UCLA women’s soccer team begins NCAA Tournament
play this weekend, it will be moving one step closer to claiming
the school’s 100th NCAA title.
But don’t tell the Bruins that. All they are focusing on
is the task at hand.
“We are definitely taking this one game at a time,”
junior goalkeeper Valerie Henderson said. “We are looking at
this weekend’s games like any other games, and we need to
make sure we get it done.”
The first obstacle the Bruins (17-3) face is playing the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which comes into Drake Stadium
tomorrow after capturing the Mountain West Conference title for the
second straight year.
Should the Bruins win Friday, they will advance on Sunday to
play the winner of the Loyola Marymount-Cal State Fullerton match.
UCLA holds a combined record of 20-0 against its three potential
opponents this weekend.
UNLV (9-10-3) is coached by former Bruin assistant Katherine
Mertz, and UCLA coach Jill Ellis knows that despite the
Rebels’ mediocre record, no team will be easy to beat in the
postseason.
“Three great teams are coming here this weekend, and they
will all be organized and have great spirit,” Ellis said.
“This is the playoffs, and every team in the playoffs has
their backs against the wall because one loss and you’re out.
Each team will come out hard.”
The Bruins realize that overlooking any team could mean the end
of their season, and they are completely focused on their present
opponents. Even the freshmen know what is necessary to continue
playing in their first postseason.
“I’m really excited to start the tournament because
this is what you always dream of, but our mentality is that we are
only looking ahead to the next game,” freshman Lauren Cheney
said. “Winning the 100th championship would be incredible
because it is a milestone in UCLA’s history, but nobody is
looking that far ahead.
The key to victory for the Bruins this weekend will not just be
in preparing well for their opponents, but also in making sure they
work together as a team.With the postseason beginning, victories
will depend not on the strength of one player, but on how well the
Bruins play as a single cohesive unit.
“We are not going to be focusing on the other teams, but
on coming together and playing as a team,” Cheney said.
“We have to get done what we need to do without looking at
who is on the other side of the field.”
A major advantage for UCLA will be playing at home. The Bruins
are undefeated at home this season and have won 18 consecutive
matches at UCLA, dating back last year.
“It’s really great to be at home because we feel
comfortable here,” Henderson said. “As far as we are
concerned, we are going to be in control of any game we
play.”
With the win-or-go-home situation the Bruins are in, Ellis
intends to make sure team members understand the intensity with
which they must play.
“Every team is competing for the same thing, so we need to
remain focused and enthusiastic if we are going to win,”
Ellis said. “Every game is important, and it won’t be
difficult for them to not focus on the next games.”