The countdown for the UCLA women’s soccer season opener is nearly over.
Following a 3-0 victory over Loyola Marymount in an exhibition game Saturday, No. 11 UCLA will face Long Beach State in its regular season opener at George Allen Field on Thursday.
“We’re hoping that we’re playing our best soccer in November and December,” said coach Margueritte Aozasa. “You want to start the season with great momentum, but we also use them (early season games) as a diagnostic to see what direction we want to take the team.”
Long Beach faced USC in an Aug. 10 exhibition match – tying 1-1. The Beach applied heavy pressure on the Trojans in the final third of the game, launching three shots on goal in 10 minutes. In the 70th minute, midfielder Julie Lopez entered the game for Long Beach and found the equalizer four minutes later.
After the game, Long Beach was voted as the Big West preseason favorite by coaches for the second consecutive season. Its roster is highlighted by two players named to the Preseason All-Big West team – defender Brooklyn Antonucci and forward Liz Worden.
In their inaugural season in the conference, the Bruins are ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten preseason poll. UCLA’s roster features three players selected by coaches as Big Ten Players to Watch – graduate student midfielder Meg Boade and seniors defender Lilly Reale and midfielder Emma Egizii.
“It’s not always easy to start in the number one position,” said graduate student goalkeeper Ryan Campbell. “But this team definitely has the talent and mentality and the grit to stay at the top.”
Thursday’s game will be the 11th match between UCLA and Long Beach since 2005. From the past ten games, the Bruins have only lost once – and they have never lost against the Beach in Westwood. But, this season’s match will be at Long Beach’s George Allen Field, where the Bruins recorded their only loss against the Beach in 2015.
In addition to the seven returning starters on UCLA’s roster, several incoming players could make waves this season.
Among the new additions is Campbell – the reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year – who transferred from Stanford. Campbell will replace former goalkeeper Neeku Purcell who signed to the Brooklyn Football Club in August.
Freshman defender Nicki Fraser started and scored in her debut in the Bruins’ exhibition game. Aozasa also said freshmen forward Bella Winn and defender Paloma Daubert played well in their debuts.
“I think the most exciting thing about this year’s team is that everyone integrated really well,” said senior defender Quincy McMahon. “They just came in and really knew what they were getting themselves into, came in very prepared, and just worked with us really well.”
The Bruins have a long way to go, but Thursday could be their first step toward redemption after a first-round elimination from the Women’s College Cup last season.
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