It was a very different setting at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center when the Bruins faced the rival Trojans Saturday. UCLA’s five seniors were playing their final home game. The usually empty grandstand was packed, and fans lined the poolside. The typically laid-back atmosphere was anything but, the crowd was loud and the band roared.
But in the end it was a familiar result ““ the Bruins’ 10th straight victory.
No. 2-ranked UCLA (20-1, 9-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) won a close, back-and-forth 8-7 game. It was UCLA’s third straight one-goal victory over No. 3-ranked USC (14-4, 7-2 MPSF). Junior Courtney Mathewson, who scored the goal to beat the Trojans in last year’s title game, scored three goals and was once again the hero. Coach Adam Krikorian was glowing after the win.
“It was a typical UCLA-USC game,” Krikorian said. “It was a game of runs. We had a good run at the beginning; they did a nice job of coming back. Thankfully we were the team that had the last run.”
UCLA began with three goals in the first quarter. The 3-0 lead would be the largest of the game, as USC quickly came back. Patty Cardenas tied the game for the Trojans at the start of the second quarter.
“From the start I knew it was going to be really competitive. I was pretty happy that my first shot went in; it kind of set the tone for the game,” Mathewson said.
In the third quarter, USC took a 6-5 lead after Brittany Hayes’ miraculous, behind-the-back goal with one second left on the shot clock. Then the Bruin stars stepped up; redshirt senior Kelly Rulon and Mathewson each scored before the end of the period to put the Bruins up 8-6. A penalty shot late in the fourth quarter gave USC a chance, but the relentless UCLA defense held strong, sealing the 8-7 win.
“It’s always competitive when you play USC, but I think we played really well. I was really excited with how we played,” Rulon said.
Special teams were a huge part of the game, as the officials were very active. UCLA scored five goals in 10 chances in the 6-on-5 situation; USC scored two in nine chances.
Both coaches were very vocal, and each was given a yellow card.
“These games are hard to officiate, they are really physical. I felt like (the officiating) was a bit inconsistent, but inconsistent for both teams,” Krikorian said. “In this sport you are never going to agree with all the calls. It’s fighting through those situations that’s important.”
The Bruin defense was most significant in securing the win. It held the Trojans scoreless for six minutes during the final quarter and was solid throughout. The Trojans were held scoreless on their final seven power-play situations.
“We did a really nice job defensively. Emily Feher played great in the goal. The one thing I’m really proud of is the defensive contributions from Tanya Gandy and Katie Rulon. Both those kids have come a long way, and they shined today,” Krikorian said.
It was certainly an emotional victory for the Bruins. It may be the last time UCLA plays USC at Sunset Rec, because of the new facility opening in 2008. The seniors Rulon, Feher, Kacy Kunkel, Jenna Murphy and Molly Cahill were playing their last home game after four dominant years at UCLA. Over that period, their class won two national titles and compiled a staggering 72-5 overall record.
“At first I was kind of nervous, but when they started announcing all the seniors before the game ““ it just makes you happy. It’s a special place, and special people, and a special time in your life,” Rulon said.
The Bruins were blown away by the crowd’s support. Krikorian called it “sweet.” After the win, the team led a joyous 8-clap with the Den.
“It’s nice to get some support because usually it’s just our parents and friends. It’s fun to play in this kind of atmosphere when the band’s playing the whole time and you can barely hear your coach,” Mathewson said.
After the celebration, the Bruins quickly turned their focus to their next game against No. 1-ranked Stanford. UCLA has just two more road games after that before the postseason. They have a shot at a third straight national title, which would be the 100th in the school’s history.
“We still need to improve; you can always improve. Going into the postseason, we need to work on our after-goal plays and the 6-on-5,” Rulon said. “Paying attention to detail and maintaining focus will always be important.”