Friday, November 21, 1997
UCLA still endeavors to prove worth
W. SOCCER: Team still disrespected even with first-round playoff
win
By Chris Umpierre
Daily Bruin Contributor
Critics have questioned how good the UCLA women’s soccer team
was all year long. These questions continued to follow the Bruins
into their first-round playoff game last weekend.
Although the Bruins have won 17 games, only one had come against
a ranked team (against No. 20 USC on Oct. 26).
Critics were reluctant to give praise to a team that they felt
hadn’t defeated anybody significant.
Last weekend, these critics got their answer: these Bruins are
for real.
On Sunday, the No. 12 Bruins (18-2) shocked the nation with a
1-0 upset win over No. 3 Portland, a national soccer powerhouse, on
the road in the first round of the playoffs. They beat practically
the same Portland team that had gone to the Final Four a year
before.
But these Bruins are not done proving their worth to these
critics as they and their current 11-game winning streak now set
their eyes on No. 19 Southern Methodist University (17-4-1). The
Lady Mustangs will host UCLA in a second-round match on Saturday at
5:30 pm.
Last weekend’s victory was not only the biggest win of the
season for the Bruins, but for the five-year program.
"The win will definitely open some eyes to the program," head
coach Joy Fawcett said.
But there is no rest for the weary. The Bruins were once again
disrespected as they will have to travel to Dallas despite owning a
better record and ranking than the Mustangs.
Traveling to the Northwest last weekend had some effect on the
players.
"On Tuesday, they were tired," Fawcett said. "Traveling took a
lot out of them. But they are definitely still motivated. They know
that they can (win this weekend)."
The Lady Mustangs will provide another challenge for the
Bruins.
Their four losses have been given to respectable foes: No. 1
North Carolina, Boston University, No. 20 Massachusetts, and No. 3
Texas A&M.
The squad has been led by a great defense, one that posted a
0.65 goals against average.
The Mustangs will have experience on their side. The program has
been to the tournament for five years. UCLA, on the other hand, has
only been in the playoffs one other time (which led to a
first-round loss in 1995). This weekend will be the Bruins’ first
trip to the second round.
Fawcett believes this inexperience will not hurt the team come
Saturday.
"If they come out like they did in the first round then we will
do well," Fawcett said. "If they want it, which I think they do, we
should do OK."
A victory on Saturday would further prove wrong all the critics
who questioned how good the team was all year long.