The UCLA women’s soccer team made a significant jump in the national rankings this week, going from the No. 8 spot all the way to No. 2 in the NSCAA/adidas National Rankings.
The jump can be attributed to the Bruins’ 2-1 upset victory in overtime against then second-ranked Portland last Friday night at Drake Stadium. The No. 2 ranking is the highest the Bruins (5-1-2) have been ranked thus far this season. The team opened up the season as the No. 7 team in the country.
While the Bruins improved in the national rankings, the Pilots endured a heavy fall. Due to the loss against UCLA, Portland dropped all the way down to No. 10.
UCLA also made similar jumps in the other polls. The Bruins are currently ranked No. 3 in Soccer America and No. 4 in Soccer Buzz.
In all three polls, Stanford holds the top spot. The Bruins will face off against the Cardinal in Palo Alto on Oct. 19.
The No. 2 Bruins finish the non-conference portion of their schedule this weekend when they travel to San Diego State on Friday, and face off against No. 5 Santa Clara on Sunday at Drake Stadium.
TENNIS PLAYERS COMPETE AT RIVIERA: Several women on the UCLA women’s tennis team are competing this week at the ITA/Riviera Women’s All-American Championship. The event is being played at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.
Sophomore Yasmin Schnack is playing in the singles qualifier along with junior Ashley Joelson.
There are two Bruin doubles teams. Elizabeth Lumpkin and Stephanie Wetmore are playing together, as are Tracy Lin and Andrea Remynse. There are 32 teams total in the doubles draw.
Two Bruins are already entered in the main singles draw, Lin and senior Riza Zalameda.
FORMER BRUINS IN THE MLB PLAYOFFS: Four former Bruin baseball players will play significant roles on playoff teams . The players are Garrett Atkins of the Colorado Rockies, Eric Byrnes of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Ben Francisco of the Cleveland Indians.
Atkins was with the Bruins from 1998-2000. This year, Atkins hit .301, belting 25 home runs while driving in 111 runs.
Byrnes was a key contributor on the Bruin squad from 1995-1998. He had one of the most productive seasons of his career for Arizona this year, batting .286 with 21 home runs.
Utley played for the Bruins from 1998-2000. He posted a .332 batting average and had 103 RBI this year.
Francisco roamed the outfield for the Bruins from 2001-2002. He was called up from the minors in May and hit a walk-off home run on June 28, his first major league start.
Complied by Andrew Howard, Bruin Sports senior staff.