As the UCLA women’s soccer team concluded Pac-10 play in Washington this weekend, the Bruins had to fight through miserable weather conditions to nab two wins.
“Friday night, I don’t think anyone could have played soccer in that weather,” coach Jill Ellis said.
But Lauren Cheney did.
Amid Friday’s downpour in Seattle, two goals from the senior forward helped the Bruins (16-2-1, 7-1 Pac-10) defeat the Washington Huskies (11-5-2, 3-3-2) 2-1, and it was Cheney’s second goal that propelled her to the top of the UCLA record books.
Cheney notched her 13th goal of the season in the 25th minute of the match when she fired a shot from 10 yards out into the lower left corner off an assist from junior defender Lauren Barnes.
With her 27th career game-winning goal, the All-American passed Traci Arkenberg and Danesha Adams for the school record for game-winning goals. Arkenberg and Adams were tied at 26 during their stints in Westwood.
“I’m happy for her, she’s just had such a tremendous career that she’s got the record,” Ellis said. “But I think Cheney will be the first to say that it’s about the team’s performance that is more important to her. That’s what makes her such a good player ““ she’s a team player.”
Cheney’s first goal in the seventh minute put the third-ranked Bruins on the board when she shot from 10 yards into the lower left corner off a deflection.
The Huskies equalized the score when Washington midfielder Kate Deines penetrated the UCLA defense and fed the ball to teammate forward Veronica Perez, who scored from close range when Bruin goalkeeper Chante’ Sandiford came out to secure the ball.
On Sunday, the Bruins played through a muddy field to blank the No. 17 Washington State Cougars 2-0 in Pullman.
In the 15th minute, Barnes launched a free kick from 35 yards out, connecting with the head of freshman midfielder Chelsea Cline, who flicked in her third goal of the season.
The Bruins scored again just before halftime at the 44:44 mark when senior forward Kristina Larsen hustled to a loose ball and punched in a low shot after a cross from senior defender Lauren Wilmoth.
The goal marked Larsen’s first since her three-game suspension.
Larsen and Wilmoth, who was also suspended in those three matches, came off the bench on Friday against the Huskies, but started against the Cougars.
Ellis declined to comment on their contribution in Sunday’s match.
UCLA outshot Washington State 17-3 and held a 4-2 advantage on corner kicks on the match.
With one save on Sunday, Sandiford registered her eighth shutout this season.
Stanford will take the Pac-10 championship, going undefeated this season after its 4-1 win against California on Sunday.
UCLA comes in second in the conference after taking the Pac-10 crown the last six years.
The Bruins will learn their postseason fate today when the NCAA Selection Show airs at 5 p.m. on ESPN News.
“I hope we get in,” Ellis said. “(We) just want to be a part of the tournament. I think we finished off the season that will get us in, but you just never know. It’s something you can’t predict. … When the draw comes out, it is what it is.”