Redshirt junior Stephanie Kron came to Westwood three seasons
ago ranked as one of the best players in the nation. She cemented
that reputation while redshirting the 2004 season, playing for the
U.S. Under-19 National Team and competing in the Youth World
Championship that same year. Injuries, however, have derailed
Kron’s Bruin career. Sustaining various maladies, including a
recurring back injury, her playing time has diminished as her body
has prevented her from playing a full 90 minutes. Still, she has
found ways to contribute off the bench with her strong leg and
shooting ability. “We know we can use (Kron) in a limited
capacity, so that’s what we try and do,” coach Jill
Ellis said. “She’s just such a technical player. Set
pieces, corner kicks ““ anything like that, she just makes us
dangerous. She’s done her role fantastically.” Kron has
put her skills on display thus far this postseason, becoming a
terror for opponents with her strong crosses and delivering in any
dead-ball situation. She scored her career-high third goal of the
year against UNLV, off a brilliant strike that hit the right post
before ricocheting into the back of the net. “Shooting is a
big part of my game; it’s something I like to
practice,” Kron said. “That shot (against UNLV), I just
concentrated and kept my head down. I was surprised it even went in
because it hit the post. I was impressed.” And although Kron
isn’t able to contribute as fully as she would like, she is
still impressing her teammates by showing what a force she can be,
even in a limited role. “(Kron) coming off the bench brings
up our level of play,” senior captain Bristyn Davis said.
“She’s definitely a spark. Her taking those kinds of
shots and free kicks is dynamite. It really helps us that she comes
in and does that.”
MORE INJURIES: After losing starters Kara Lang
and Mary Castelanelli both to knee injuries early in the season, it
appeared the Bruins would finally be healthy and have some
consistency in their lineup just in time for the postseason. The
injury bug however, continues to bite UCLA as freshman starters
Kristina Larsen and Lydia Cook were diagnosed with new injuries
during the past week. Cook has compartment syndrome, which causes
pain in her lower legs. She is still able to play, but was held out
of all but 27 minutes of both matches last weekend. Larsen sat out
both games with an undisclosed foot injury. The Bruins will take a
wait-and-see approach with both players, according to Ellis. She is
choosing to give her players as much rest as possible before making
a decision on their availability.
PENALTY KICKS: This is the eighth straight
season in which UCLA has advanced to the Round of 16. …The Bruins
are riding a 25-game home winning streak, and are 14-0 this season
at Drake Stadium. … They have also won 13 straight home NCAA
Tournament games. …With two goals this past weekend, junior
Danesha Adams added to her school-record postseason scoring total.
She now leads the Bruins all-time with 12 goals and 26 points
overall in NCAA Tournament play.