An already trying season for UCLA goalkeeper Sarah Lombardo
ended abruptly late Monday night after doctors informed the junior
that her injured knee will indeed require surgery.
X-rays showed that Lombardo, who left Sunday’s match
against Cal in the 77th minute, sustained bone spurs in her right
kneecap that will sideline her for the remainder of the season.
Freshman Arianna Criscione will start in her place for the
remainder of the season, beginning Friday when the Bruins host
Arizona State.
“The timing is tough,” UCLA coach Jill Ellis said.
“Sarah had played really well the last two games, but
there’s no question the team feels comfortable with Arianna
in goal.”
Lombardo’s injury is even more unfortunate because it came
during her best game of the season.
A series of rocky performances capped by a five-goal game
against No. 1 North Carolina cost Lombardo the starting job, but a
pair of shutouts in the Bay Area this past weekend might have been
enough to put her back in the lineup.
Monday night’s medical report wasn’t all bad,
however, for the Bruins.
Sophomore forward Katie Rivera does not appear to have suffered
any serious ligament damage in her left knee as originally feared.
Rivera, who hurt the knee against Stanford on Friday night, met
with her family doctor Monday, and he declared the injury a sprain.
Rivera will see a team doctor later in the week once the swelling
goes down and could return in time for the playoffs if the
diagnosis does not change.
She has already torn the anterior cruciate ligament in both her
left and right knees, and another serious setback could jeopardize
her collegiate career.
Midfielder Stacy Lindstrom also sustained a high ankle sprain
against Stanford on Friday, but is expected to recover in time to
play against the Sun Devils.