Thursday, April 4, 1996
Who are those women you see walking around campus with sticks?
Polo players? Field hockey players? In all likelihood, they’re part
of UCLA’s lacrosse team. Though it is technically a club team,
don’t tell the athletes that.
Each year, the team votes on whether it will compete against
club or varsity sport competition. And each time the majority
agrees overwhelmingly on the latter. They decide to run a serious
operation with real organization including practices, team
meetings, banquets and the like.
In only its fourth year of existence, the lacrosse team, under a
student coach, has compiled an 8-3 record this year after starting
off 0-2, and has made the playoffs in each of the last two years.
The victories have come against Occidental, USC and six victims at
the Santa Barbara Tournament in which the Bruins claimed the
championship. While awaiting results of its proposal to be
recognized by the NCAA, UCLA is heading into the playoffs once
again.
The road to recognition has been a long and hard one for the
seniors on the team.
Said senior captain Jill Sanchez: "People think that this sport
is a joke, but we work really hard. We get beat up out there, but
we keep on going."
In addition to being a team that is not recognized by the NCAA,
it’s a team that gets little financial help from the school it
represents. Therefore, the players have to pay annual dues of $150
and contribute each time there is a road trip.
This ethnically diverse team is fairly young and inexperienced
but has jelled as the season has progressed. Of the 33 players on
the team, only four are seniors, making this whole season a
learning process. With Sanchez and fellow senior captain Marci
Webster providing the scoring threats at the attack wing position,
the Bruins have a most potent offense. In the net, sophomore goalie
Alena Wilga is a force.
"Last year was her first year and she was good, and this year
she’s just great," Sanchez said.
Sophomores Michelle Dominguez and Amy Fujimoto are defensive
specialists at the wing position. The younger players seem prepared
to step into the giant shoes the seniors will leave behind after
this season.
"We have a strong team," Sanchez said. "Our young players have
learned really fast, and we’re just really pleased with their
progress."