UCLA women’s soccer concluded its nonconference schedule and kicked
off Pac-12 action with a 2-1 win over the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, Arizona on Sunday.
Similar to their previous matches, the Bruins scored early in the game to take the lead, after sophomore forward Taylor Smith took a pass from junior defender Ally Courtnall to score her second goal of the season.
Then, junior midfielder Sam Mewis put the team up 2-0 in the 32nd minute off a pass from Smith, but Arizona’s Hannah Wong reduced the deficit, scoring six minutes later.
The first period ended 2-1, a score that UCLA maintained throughout the second period to clinch the win.
Freshman midfielder Gabbi Miranda said that the win against the Wildcats was very important for the Bruins to start off conference play on the right foot.
“It was a very important win to start off the conference (action) right…because a lot of the other teams (in the conference) got ties so this win and the three points are huge,” Miranda said.
UCLA had control of the match for most of the game. The team took 19 shots while the Wildcats had seven attempts. UCLA’s offensive tactic was also shown in corner kicks, recording 12 versus Arizona’s one.
Coach Amanda Cromwell said she was happy with the win and the formula the team has been using by scoring early on in the match.
“Coming into Pac-12 play, we were very excited to start the conference,” Cromwell said. “We knew that Arizona was going to be a tough opponent … (but) we came out strong and scored the early goal which gave (us) momentum and confidence.”
For Smith the win against the Wildcats came despite the Bruins not playing their best game.
“The game (against Arizona) was very important because it was our first conference game, and so I think it was great getting an early goal and holding them off until the end. It wasn’t our best performance but we did play well together,” Smith said.
UCLA has started its games playing aggressive offense. Of the Bruins’ 21 goals scored this season, they have netted 15 in the first half, eight of which came in the first 10 minutes of play. UCLA also has four goals in the first five minutes, including Smith’s goal Sunday.
The remainder of the Bruins’ schedule consists solely of conference opponents, including games on the road against No. 3 Stanford and California. The team will return home to play against Washington State on Friday.