As usual, it’s about much more than bragging rights when
No. 7 UCLA goes to No. 17 USC Sunday.
With both teams tied at 3-1 in the Pac-10 and the NCAA selection
committee looking on from afar, the winner of this weekend’s
tussle will put itself in prime position for favorable seeding in
the NCAA Tournament in three weeks.
“What’s important in this game is regional
ranking,” UCLA coach Jillian Ellis said. “A win against
USC would put us at least into the top four, along with Stanford,
Santa Clara and Portland.”
The Trojans have narrowed the gap between the two programs in
the last few years, pulling out a home victory in 1998 and a tie at
the Coliseum in 2000.
And with 4-0 Stanford seemingly running away with the Pac-10
title, second place will likely go to one of these two teams, both
of which are a bit banged up.
“They’ll be without Megan Abbamonto, who’s a
physical player, and we’re going to be without a couple of
starters,” Ellis said.
Bruin scoring leader Iris Mora will be at the Rose Bowl Sunday
playing for the Mexican national team, while scoring threats
Sarah-Gayle Swanson and Katie Rivera are both doubtful. Those three
have accounted for 37 percent of team scoring this season.
Senior defender Tracey Winzen still likes UCLA’s chances,
though.
“We have a deep bench,” she said. “Granted,
we’re going to miss those girls, but I think we’ll be
OK. We did well this past weekend under similar
circumstances.”
The Trojans moved this season’s home matches from the
cavernous Coliseum to a more intimate setting at McAllister Field,
where the Bruins expect vociferous fans and a typically boisterous
USC band.
“I like playing on a big field, but for ‘SC, playing
on McAlister is more personal,” Winzen said.
“Everyone’s right there, and I enjoy that so much
more.”
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Sophomore defender Kendal Billingsley was named to Soccer
America’s Team of the Week after helping the UCLA defense
hold Arizona to just two shots last Friday and scoring the first
goal against Arizona State on Sunday.