It’s pretty safe to say that the UCLA women’s soccer
team has been downright defensive this season. The statistics speak
for themselves. The No. 4 Bruins, who continue NCAA Tournament play
Saturday night against Marquette, have allowed just eight goals in
22 matches this season. The all-time UCLA record for goals allowed
in a season is 10. “Even for how good of a record we have,
we’re still disappointed that we’ve allowed those goals
against us,” senior defender Jill Oakes said. It’s that
sort of attitude that has taken the Bruin back line to such
incredible success this season. Oakes, along with juniors Mary
Castelanelli and Bristyn Davis, and freshman Erin Hardy, have
allowed more than one goal in a game only once this season. That
happened against USC, when the Trojans scored twice in the
game’s first 29 minutes. “At the beginning of the
season we even got together and said, “˜No goals
against,'” Oakes said. “We had high expectations
for ourselves, and we know that we’re all capable and good
enough to hold teams off.” The Bruins have recorded shutouts
in 15 of 22 matches this season, and shutout No. 16 would set the
all-time UCLA record.
STAYING ON TRACK: All season, UCLA has grown
accustomed to playing matches on Fridays and Sundays. Throughout
the conference season, that’s the habit the team developed.
After playing on Sunday, Ellis would give her team the day off
Monday before tough practices Tuesday and Wednesday and a light
workout Thursday. Judging by the Bruins’ 19-1-2 record,
it’s a pattern that has worked. That’s why playing on
Saturday provides a bit of a challenge for coach Jill Ellis and the
Bruins. “When you play on Saturday it kind of disrupts your
rhythm a little bit,” Ellis said. That being the case, Ellis,
in an effort to keep continuity, gave her team the day off from
practice on Monday and Tuesday. They resumed the same practice
pattern on Wednesday, and expect to be ready to go on Saturday.
“Two days off gives them a little break and a chance to
rejuvenate,” Ellis said. “I think we’ll be
energized.” The team was certainly energized last weekend
when the Bruins posted a 9-0 victory over Mississippi Valley State
and a 3-0 victory over Colorado in the first and second rounds of
the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins will now look to keep their
momentum going against Marquette. “There’s benefits to
the two days off,” Oakes said. “It’s a good time
for us to get our rest in physically, and psychologically as
well.”
AWARD WATCH: UCLA seniors Oakes and Iris Mora
were named two of 15 semifinalists Wednesday for the Missouri
Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy, given each year to the top
player in college soccer. The three finalists will be named at the
Men’s College Cup on Dec. 9, and the winner will be announced
on Jan. 6.