Losing two key performers before a gymnastics meet is one ingredient in a recipe for disaster. When an accomplished star and marquee name falls during her strongest event, that’s the second ingredient. For No. 8 UCLA gymnastics (1-1), the head-to-head meet with No. 2 Oklahoma (2-0) could have been defined by its setbacks. The Bruins, […]
Author Archives: Winston Bribach
New members of UCLA gymnastics ready for meet against No. 2 Oklahoma
First meets are good barometers, especially for a team with 10 new freshmen. The collegiate atmosphere proved to be an obstacle. “We weren’t prepared for the crowd and how amped up everyone was going to be, and I think we didn’t know how to channel that energy to help improve our gymnastics,” said freshman Felicia […]
Women’s soccer focuses on season positives after loss to West Virginia
Season-ending losses are never fun. Going out on penalties, like UCLA did against West Virginia, makes it worse. “(Penalty kicks) are a crapshoot,” said coach Amanda Cromwell. “It’s a big, big bummer.” Tougher still, the Bruins had just turned the corner on a tough second half of the season and really started to click. [Related: […]
Women’s soccer dominates Nebraska in NCAA Tournament second round
This post was updated Nov.18 at 6:30 p.m. As the saying goes, goals change games. Against Nebraska in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, it was an early goal for UCLA women’s soccer that set the tone for its eventual 2-0 victory. [Related: Women’s soccer to face Nebraska in second round of NCAA Tournament] […]
Women’s soccer improves game plan through flexible new formation
In the 4-1-3-2 formation, UCLA started to sputter. The attack, which was potent during the first half of the season, did not have the energy and incisiveness it needed to break down defenses. Then, before the USC game Nov. 4, UCLA lined up in a 4-3-3 and everything changed. The wingers created danger from wide […]
Women’s soccer looks to shape up defense before NCAA Tournament opener
When UCLA women’s soccer takes the field against Seattle to open the NCAA Tournament on Friday night, it will do so having navigated an unusual midweek obstacle – the election. Even postseason preparation is not immune to political fallout. “Wednesday was a weird day because of the election,” said coach Amanda Cromwell. “Everyone was a […]
Women’s soccer lands a No. 4 seed in a surprising NCAA matchup
When UCLA women’s soccer saw its name drawn for the NCAA Tournament on Monday afternoon, the result brought on a minor degree of surprise. Fresh off beating No. 5 USC, UCLA (13-5-1, 7-3-1 Pac-12) landed a No. 4 seed. [Related:New formation powers women’s soccer to an upset win over No. 5 USC] “A little surprised […]