After helping the UCLA women’s soccer team to an overall record of 20-2-2, a record-setting fifth consecutive Pac-10 title, and a fifth consecutive appearance in the College Cup, two Bruins are helping the program in another way: prestige.
Sophomore forward Lauren Cheney and junior midfielder Christina DiMartino were two of 20 players selected onto the U.S. National Team, which will compete in the 2008 Four Nations Tournament from Jan. 16-20. The U.S. will join host China as well as Canada and Finland in a round-robin tournament format, which will be the first matches under new coach Pia Sundhage. It will be the seventh time the U.S. has participated in the tournament.
Cheney and DiMartino were unavailable for comment as they left for China on Tuesday in preparation for the tournament.
UCLA coach Jill Ellis, a top candidate for the U.S. Women’s National team coaching position and a well respected voice in both collegiate and international soccer, was pleased Cheney and DiMartino were selected on the team, but notes that the two must continue to work if they wish to remain on the team that will travel to China in the summer for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
“Obviously I’m very pleased for the both of them,” Ellis said. “It’s the beginning process on their way to making the Olympic team. They did well enough in the training to make the team for China, but they have a lot of work ahead of them. Both of them agreed that they do have a lot of work to do to improve. They had tremendous individual seasons that will help them with the team.”
Cheney had the most productive scoring season in the history of the program this past season. The sophomore from Indianapolis set a school record in total points (57) and goals (23). She also had 11 assists and an incredible nine game-winning goals.
Cheney has been rewarded for her efforts on the field with a plethora of awards and nominations. She has been named the Pac-10 Player of the Year, an NSCAA/adidas All-American, and a M.A.C Hermann Trophy finalist.
“Cheney has developed the reputation as a great goal scorer,” Ellis said. “So, (the national team) is going to look at her to produce for them up top.”
DiMartino also enjoyed a solid season playing in the middle and keeping the Bruin offense running smoothly with her quick dribble, deft ball-handling abilities and precision passing. She tallied a total of 24 points on six goals and 12 assists, starting every game for the Bruins.
“With Tina I have said this before. I don’t think that there is any other player like her in the country in terms of what she can do with the ball,” Ellis said. “She is such a unique player and has a great skill set. It will be interesting to see if her unique skills will blend with the needs of the (national team).”
Following seven on-field practice sessions and one full-field scrimmage over the course of five days at the Home Depot Center in Carson, the roster of 20 was announced. This marks Cheney’s second appearance with the national team and DiMartino’s first. When asked what advice she would give to both players, Ellis offered a simple answer.
“I told them to focus on what you do well and to improve on your weaknesses,” Ellis said. “I told them that the biggest difference between college and this level is that at this level, you have to bring your best every day. You can’t take a day off. You can’t take a training session off.”
CHENEY A M.A.C HERMANN FINALIST: Cheney has been named one of three finalists for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, the most prestigious award in college soccer. Cheney is the first Bruin in the history of the program to be named a finalist for the award.
Texas A&M’s Ashlee Pistorius and Florida State’s Mami Yamaguchi were also named finalists.
The winner will be announced tonight in St. Louis and will be aired on ESPNews at 7 p.m. EST. Ellis has traveled to St. Louis to represent Cheney, who is in China with the national team.