Bruins’ season makes a turn for better after two wins in Washington
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 21, 1996 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 22, 1996
W. SOCCER:
After a spell of bad luck UCLA gets head start to Pac-10 titleBy
Brad Zucker
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The last time the UCLA women’s soccer team went into double
overtime, University of San Diego goalkeeper Alison Worden snuffed
out a point-blank scoring opportunity by Skylar Little in the
closing moments to preserve a gut-wrenching 0-0 tie. At the time,
the Bruins were 3-4-1, and it seemed as if the ball would never
bounce in UCLA’s direction.
That was then, this is now.
The Bruins (8-4-1) pulled off their fifth straight victory on
Friday afternoon, battling the Washington Huskies (7-5) for over
108 minutes before Sue Skenderian sent a low shot into the back of
the net to give UCLA a 1-0 victory. On the play, the ball caromed
off a Washington defender to set up the shot for Skenderian, who
sent the ball home from 17 yards away.
The loss was the first of the season for the Huskies at Royals
Field, who had won all five of their previous home games.
For the Bruins, it was the second straight time they had marched
into foreign territory and beaten a team that had been undefeated
at home. More importantly, however, the victory gave UCLA a head
start in the Pac-10 race.
Both teams entered the game needing the win badly, since the
Pac-10 title is probably the only sure ticket into the NCAA
tournament. With only eight teams competing in the conference, any
loss would be devastating to a team’s chances.
And, undoubtedly, the Washington coaching staff will feel the
devastation when they watch the game film of the closing minute of
regulation. Freshman Anna Biddie had a clear scoring opportunity,
but the shot slid just inches wide of the goal.
Bruins 2, Cougars 0
UCLA finished the weekend with another shutout, the seventh of
the year for freshman goalie Lindsay Culp.
Culp’s job was an easy one on Sunday as the Bruins completely
dominated every statistical category. Washington State could only
register five shots on goal, and Culp only needed to make two
saves.
The Bruins got a goal in the 28th minute from Traci Arkenberg
and a goal early in the first half from Louise Lieberman.
