If the top-seeded UCLA women’s soccer team keeps playing
like it did Saturday night, UCLA might have to find room for
another championship trophy on its long list of national
titles.
After easily dispatching fourth-seeded Marquette 4-0 in the
round of 16, the Bruins (20-1-2 Pac-10) will host second-seeded
Virginia on Friday night. Virginia advanced by beating Cal State
Fullerton 2-1 on Sunday.
But with the way the Bruins are playing, the Cavaliers may be
just another step toward UCLA’s ultimate goal: a national
championship and a third consecutive trip to the College Cup.
“We played great today, one of the best games we played, I
think, all year, as far as soccer, team unity and heart,”
said senior defender and team captain Jill Oakes.
The Bruins dominated possession for most of the match and
created quality scoring chances. UCLA out-shot the Golden Eagles
19-2, and sophomore goalkeeper Valerie Henderson was able to post
her ninth shutout of the year without having to make a save.
But Henderson’s accolades Saturday were overshadowed by
the play of freshman forward Kara Lang.
After a relatively slow start to her Bruin career, Lang has
caught fire in the playoffs, tallying two goals and an assist
Saturday night. She has scored two goals in each of UCLA’s
three playoff matches.
“We won; that’s what we came out here to do,”
said Lang. “As a team, this was the best game that
we’ve played, because we were playing for each other and we
played together. Everybody just worked so hard.”
And while Lang couldn’t be happier to help herself and her
teammates advance, her teammates couldn’t be happier for
her.
“She was unbelievable, she was awesome,” said senior
Iris Mora of her fellow forward. “I feel so happy for her
because she’s been working so hard the entire season, and
it’s paying off.”
“I think (Kara’s) just definitely hitting her
stride,” said Oakes. “She was a big name coming in and
that’s a lot of pressure for her. She’s doing awesome
things for us at the peak time. I’m just so happy to have her
on our side.”
Lang made her presence felt quickly as she took a ball from
Oakes on the left side and shook off two defenders before blasting
a shot into the net from 10 yards out less than three minutes into
the game.
The Bruins hit a small lull in the second half as Lang took a
rest on the bench. But less than two minutes after Lang re-entered
the match, she assisted junior Stacy Lindstrom’s goal, giving
the Bruins some breathing room at 2-0.
After receiving a controversial yellow card less than five
minutes later, Lang let Marquette know the rout was on, scoring
less than 20 seconds after being booked. The goal gave UCLA an
insurmountable 3-0 lead.
Freshman Blake Zerboni added a goal on a header with less than
five minutes left to notch the final 4-0 tally.
The Bruins played the match without having coach Jill Ellis on
the bench. Ellis received a red card in the second-round match
against Colorado, but her absence didn’t seem to faze UCLA on
this night.
“I mean, it definitely affects the players (not having
their coach),” said assistant coach Joe Mallia.
“Jill’s kind of their backbone, but they did very well
to handle that situation.”
“We’re so focused right now, we have a common
goal,” Lang said. “Everybody’s aware of what
we’re here to do, and everybody is giving their
best.”