Already one of the better defensive teams in the Pac-10 this
season, the UCLA women’s soccer team has stepped up its
defense so far in the postseason. The Bruins, who will face Ohio
State in the NCAA quarterfinals Saturday, have not allowed a goal
in three consecutive playoff games. Even more impressive is that
UCLA’s opposition so far in the playoffs has hardly
challenged Bruin goalkeeper Valerie Henderson. Henderson has only
made seven saves in three games, and five of those were against
Pepperdine in the first round. Defenders Mary Castelanelli, Kendal
Billingsley and Amy Fazio have repeatedly swarmed to the ball and
have blocked many potential shots on goal before they could even
reach Henderson. “The goalie always likes a blocked
shot,” Billingsley said. “Some games you will have to
block more shots than others. We have kept in really good shape and
people are willing to throw their bodies around to win.” One
of the keys for the Bruins has been the return of Castelanelli, a
highly recruited sophomore whose recovery from stress fractures in
her back has given coach Jill Ellis a consistent backline for the
first time all season. Castelanelli, who did not play at all until
October, has looked more like her old self each successive week.
Ellis said Castelanelli’s best game of the season was
UCLA’s third-round victory over Duke, a 2-0 Bruin victory.
“She hasn’t played in a year so every time she goes out
there is a chance to get better,” Ellis said.
“Billingsley has been consistent all year and Fazio has been
solid. They have really been playing well lately.”
HOMECOMING: Freshman forward Danesha Adams, a
native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, will be playing in front of her
friends and family when the Bruins travel to Columbus to go up
against Ohio State on Saturday. Adams, who has scored three goals
in the playoffs so far, seems to be hitting her stride again after
a disappointing conference season. “Danesha is young and
she’s learning the ropes,” Ellis said.
“She’s learning that she has to kick it up in
intensity. We all want her fit so she can play 45 minutes a half
and not 25. But when she works hard, good things happen for
us.”
QUICK KICKS: Besides UCLA, three other West
Coast schools have advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals: No. 4
Portland, No. 15 Washington and No. 16 Santa Clara. The Bruins will
leave for Ohio on Thursday morning and will have Thanksgiving
dinner together in their hotel.