By Amanda Fletcher
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The first game of the fall season has finally arrived and on
Sunday at 2 p.m., the preseason-ranked No. 14 UCLA women’s
soccer team will host its annual alumni game at Drake Stadium.
Though the match doesn’t count in Bruins’ season
record, it will provide a valuable opportunity for them to test
their talent before they face No. 6 Clemson on Aug. 25.
“It’s an opportunity for us to play together and
work on some chemistry on the field,” head coach Jillian
Ellis said.
With that in mind, the coaching staff plans on using the game to
work out any pre-season kinks.
“It’s still early in the season so positions are
still open,” said assistant coach Lisa Shattuck. “We
want to use the game as a test to see if we’re starting the
best team and using the best system.”
But the match is not just a glorified practice. Both former and
current Bruins want to win.
“It’s going to be fun but it’s going to be
about winning,” said senior midfielder Venus James.
With the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation ““ ahead of
16-time national champion North Carolina ““ the alumni game
also should provide a stepping stone for a freshman class
surrounded by high expectations.
“I think it’s important for people to step in and
put on a Bruin jersey and get used to how it feels,” Ellis
said.
But, according to James, the freshmen have already raised the
bar for returning players.
“We knew there were going to be a lot of newcomers and I
think a lot of us came (to summer training) prepped and ready to
play,” she said.
And as the women’s soccer team is going into its eighth
season ““ still a relatively young program ““ the alumni
support is more important than ever.
“I’m extremely pleased that we have alumni coming
back to us that want to stay involved in the program,” Ellis
said. “Anytime we can get players to come back, it’s
great.”
Among those rumored to return in this game are Skylar Little (
class of 2000), Rea Tanaka (’97) and Louise Leiberman
(’99).
But no matter what the outcome of the game, it will mark the
beginning of a promising women’s soccer season.
“We think this is our year and we have a chance to go
really far,” said junior Lauren Emblem. “We want to
take every game as an opportunity to get better.”