CARY, N.C. “”mdash; Friday was not the Bruins’ day, as they
fell just short of the national title for the fourth straight year,
but UCLA’s seniors can leave Westwood proud of what they have
accomplished as the most decorated class in school history. The
current senior class has achieved many firsts for the Bruin
program, reaching the College Cup for four consecutive years, twice
reaching the championship game, and winning four straight Pac-10
crowns. No other team in conference history has achieved either
feat. The Bruins have won 81 games over the current seniors’
career ““ the most over any four-year period at UCLA.
“Just for the senior class, I’m just heartbroken for
them to be (at the College Cup) four times and not come away with
(a national title),” coach Jill Ellis said. “I hope
they don’t focus on the end result. The journey has been good
for them. They’ve been tremendous. We’ve built the
program around them, and I know that the relationships I’ve
built with them will continue past their graduation.” Bristyn
Davis and Stacy Lindstrom were the only senior fixtures in the
starting lineup at the end of the year for the Bruins. Both were
starters throughout their four years in Westwood, and Davis served
as team captain this year. Davis played a key role in replacing
fellow senior Mary Castelanelli, filling in for her classmate at
right back. Castelanelli, who had played a key role as an attacking
threat at defender throughout her career, suffered a season-ending
knee injury in September during a win against Pepperdine.
Lindstrom, the tallest player on the team, has played a key role
for UCLA as a holding midfielder. She was instrumental in tracking
back and defending in front of a very youthful backline while
simultaneously serving her forwards to initiate the offense.
“Stacy and Bristyn mean so much to this program,”
goalkeeper Valerie Henderson said. “All our seniors do
““ our entire senior class It’s tough to lose them. I
would have loved to win a national championship with them.
It’s a big loss to me. They’re great friends as well as
players.”
HENDERSON SHINES: Even though North Carolina
broke through the Bruin defense for two goals, the final score does
not define how well UCLA’s youthful backline ““
especially Henderson ““ performed in such a pressure-packed
situation last Friday. Henderson, who played this past summer on
the U.S. Under-20 and Under-21 national teams, made five saves
““ including two of the highlight-reel variety ““ to keep
UCLA within striking distance. “I thought Val played
fantastic,” Ellis said. “She was put under a lot of
pressure and made some big-time saves. She’s just on an
excellent run. She’s played very, very well.” Henderson
was quick to credit the Bruin defense for helping her to keep the
Tar Heels at bay. “I think I’ve got some of the best
defenders in the country,” Henderson said. “I’ve
got nothing to complain about. We have an amazing backline. Not
only are they talented players, but they battle and have such good
heart. I wouldn’t want anybody else in front of me.”
Like Davis, sophomore Catherine Calvert subbed late in the season
for an injured teammate. With freshman Lydia Cook unable to play
extensive minutes, Calvert was instrumental, filling in at central
defender. Sophomore Erin Hardy has been a key fixture for the
Bruins over the past two years. Although often overlooked, she has
been a crucial part of UCLA’s backline. Freshman Lauren
Wilmoth improved greatly over the course of the year, playing the
entire season at left back. “I thought we were outstanding
(defensively),” Ellis said. “Our backs, Wilmoth and the
younger players did very well. The backline played very, very well
and sustained a lot of pressure.”
FRESHMEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT: On the biggest stage
in all of college soccer, Ellis, as she has done all year, relied
on several of her freshmen to make the biggest plays. The Bruin
youth did not disappoint, with very composed and unintimidated
performances against the most storied program in women’s
collegiate soccer. Freshmen Lauren Cheney, Kristina Larsen and
Wilmoth all started the semifinal, with Britney Scannell coming on
and playing important minutes as a reserve. “I was really
proud of everyone on the field, but the freshmen especially,”
Cheney said. “All of us stepped up big time. I just think
it’s exciting for us. We just have a strong foundation to
build on, and I’m excited for the next three years.”
Scannell, especially, made a surprising contribution. Her
classmates have been more heralded and have played prominent roles
throughout the year, but Scannell has only recently been receiving
time as a key defensive reserve throughout the playoffs. “We
just needed her athleticism,” Ellis said. “We’ve
given her little nuggets of games here and there so when she was
ready she wouldn’t panic. She did very well.”
ALL-AMERICANS: The NSCAA women’s
All-Americans were announced Friday, with Notre Dame’s Kerri
Hanks winning the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy as the player of the year.
Cheney and Christina DiMartino were both named first team
All-Americans. Danesha Adams was named to the third team, her
second career honor.