Women’s Soccer vs. Today 6:30 p.m.
By Eli Karon
Daily Bruin Contributor
A 7-0 loss. If they were playing football, it wouldn’t
have been so bad. If it were baseball, it would have been bad but
there is a good chance that the opposing pitcher threw a gem. In
soccer, however, there is no way to cushion the blow to your ego
after a 7-0 loss.
Embarrassing, a slaughter, a blowout, a thrashing ““ these
are all words used by UCLA women’s soccer coaches and players
when describing the match played at Santa Clara in 1999 in the
third round of the NCAA playoffs.
On Thursday, UCLA travels to Santa Clara in an attempt to
continue its undefeated season. As an added bonus, the Bruins will
be out for revenge.
Senior Breana Boling remembers that loss. “We definitely
need to redeem ourselves because it was a very, very disappointing
loss,” she said. “It’s a huge game.”
Unfortunately for Santa Clara, the Bruins have changed. With
excellent classes of soccer players successfully recruited since
1999, UCLA is now a national powerhouse playing soccer with new
goals in mind.
“For us, we don’t want to allow any goals,”
head coach Jillian Ellis said. “I think our back line is
starting to come together.”
Scoring opportunities haven’t come easily for UCLA
opponents this year. Eight of the Bruins’ eleven wins this
year have been shutouts.
The tale of the tape this year makes the match of special
interest to Bruin fans and Bronco fans alike. UCLA is ranked 2nd in
the nation, while Santa Clara is 3rd. UCLA is undefeated with the
best start is school history (11-0), while Santa Clara has just one
loss (10-1).
Tipping the scales in the UCLA’s favor is the bitter taste
left in the Bruins’ mouths three years ago with that 7-0
loss.
Bethany Bogart was another member of that 1999 team.
“We’re taking one game at a time,” Bogart said.
“Before, we were the underdogs by a long shot. This time, we
know we’re a great team. I’d love to get
revenge.”
Coach Ellis and her team head to Santa Clara with a warning for
the Broncos. “We’re going to be going in and
we’re preparing to win,” Ellis said.