Thursday, October 22, 1998
Duncan’s team goals on the ball
FEATURE: Humble conference leader excels through youth,
experience
By Greg Lewis
Daily Bruin Staff
Staci Duncan is the leading scorer in the Pac-10. And she
doesn’t even to know it.
As freshman forward, Duncan has successfully stepped in to fill
the scoring void left by since graduated Bruin-for-all-time Traci
Arkenberg.
But Duncan would rather talk about the young Bruin squad’s
talent, the bright future of the team with its 11 freshmen,
everyone’s contribution to the team and the team’s astounding
efforts this season.
Duncan is part of a major youth movement on the women’s soccer
team. She leads a group of freshmen on a soccer team that regularly
has seven first-year players on the field at one time.
Leading the Bruins and the rest of the conference in all three
categories, Duncan is the major scoring force on the Bruin squad
with 24 points on nine goals and six assists so far this
season.
But Duncan has an ace in the hole, something no other soccer
player in the country has. She has Traci Arkenberg as a mentor.
Arkenberg helped put UCLA on the map as one of the nation’s top
soccer schools, leading the team in scoring during all her four
seasons as a Bruin. Arkenberg holds 16 school records and is UCLA’s
all-time leading scorer with 169 points (71 goals, 27 assists).
Arkenberg, now a graduate assistant coach with the team, has
eagerly taken on the role of tutor to Duncan.
"She’s my mentor," says Duncan. "She was awesome in college. She
was one of the reasons I came here."
Duncan’s playing style is analogous to a tank on a mission.
Don’t bother getting in the way. More than one opponent this season
has found herself left in the dust by Duncan’s aggressive,
ball-handling style.
"It’s funny, she plays a lot like me. She likes to keep her back
to the goal and then turn on people."
She describes herself on the field as aggressive and strong, but
there is more to her game then that.
She may not excel in one particular soccer skill, but she can do
everything well. Mainly, she puts the ball in the back of the
net.
"She’s got the mentality of a forward," said Arkenberg. "The one
thing I can say about Duncan is that she isn’t afraid to shoot the
ball."
Duncan’s on-field exploits have helped the Bruins to an
impressive 13 wins in their their first 16 matches and a share of
the conference lead. Duncan and fellow freshman Breana Boling
comprise the top scoring two-some in the Pac-10 conference.
But success in the soccer world is nothing new to Duncan.
Duncan, along with the Boling contingent, twin sisters Breana
and Krista, made a name for themselves on their San Jose Mercury
club team.
The three soccer players joined the Mercury Under-12 team and
burst onto the national club scene, winning seven state titles,
four regional crowns and taking home the national championship
trophy three times.
But even when talking about her years on the youth soccer
circuit, Duncan is humble.
"I wasn’t as good as some of the other girls on that team.
Breana and Krista, they were awesome," Duncan said.
Her modesty has carried over to this year. She can’t even
believe that somebody would consider her the best player on the
team. "I just get all the points because I’m playing forward," she
said.
Part of Duncan’s humble manner is due to her awe of the UCLA
campus. "The minute I got here, I knew this place was for me. It
was just a feeling," Duncan said.
Duncan also visited, and seriously considered, Arizona State and
Southern Cal. But Duncan is a Bruin through and through. "I look
around realize how lucky I am," Duncan said.MARY CIECEK
Staci Duncan is a freshman forward on the women’s soccer
team.
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