Monday, October 27, 1997
Bruins’ depth expresses itself in win over USC
W.SOCCER: Addition of strong players to last year’s squad makes
Pac-10 goal attainable
By Chris Umpierre
Daily Bruin Contributor
A year can make a difference. Last year at this point, the UCLA
women’s soccer team relied on one scorer, Traci Arkenberg, for
their offensive output. They would live and die depending how she
played each game. If Arkenberg had an off-day or was stopped by the
opposition, there was a good chance they would end up losing the
game.
But unlike last year’s squad, this year’s No. 15 team (13-2-0,
5-0) has depth and numerous players who can step up as leaders. The
depth takes a lot of pressure off Arkenberg to carry the squad game
in and game out.
This depth was no better displayed than in UCLA’s 3-1 victory
over No. 18 USC (13-2-1, 4-1) on Sunday in Spaulding field in front
of a record 2,373 spectators. The crucial victory leaves the Bruins
(who play both the Arizona and Washington schools in the coming
weeks) with an excellent chance of winning their first Pac-10
conference crown.
With Arkenberg, the seventh leading scorer in the nation, held
at bay for most of the game by the stingy defense of USC’s Katie
Ticehurst, UCLA turned to it’s other weapons.
Venus James took over the scoring load.
"I think the difference in this year is that (Arkenberg) has
other people to step up for her where as in years past she hasn’t,"
UCLA head coach Joy Fawcett said. "That’s what makes us better this
year."
James stepped up despite being a true freshmen.
"Just because people are older than me I’m not going to let them
push me around," James said. "I’m going to play just as hard as
they do."
And play with a lot of heart she did.
She scored her seventh goal of the season off a Skylar Little
free kick at 50:49 of the second half to give the Bruins the early
lead.
James then set up Traci Arkenberg for the game winning goal at
67:06. The game-winning assist is the forward’s fourth assist on
the year. Her three points on the day gives her 18 total points for
the season.
"Venus played incredibly," Arkenberg said, who’s game winning
goal was her 25th in her illustrious Bruin career. "Her speed is
such an asset to our game. Before we never had a forward that had
the speed which takes pressure off of other forwards and the
half-backs. It’s great to be able to send the ball through and let
her run on to it and know that she is going to get it."
James’ solid game helped to take off pressure of Arkenberg.
UCLA’s defense also played big for the squad. Players like Rhi
Tanaka, Skylar Little and Tiffany Brown seemed to be everywhere on
the field.
"We played outstanding team defense today," Arkenberg said. "I
think that’s what won us this game."
With their depth and players stepping up on both sides of the
ball, UCLA looks primed to win the Pac-10 after beating the Trojans
and head into the playoffs with a lot of confidence.