UCLA women’s soccer beats Arizona Wildcats in Pac-10 opener
By Min Kang
Oct. 10, 2009 4:24 p.m.
Returning home after playing on the road for the past two weeks, the No. 3 UCLA women’s soccer team cruised against Arizona 2-0 on Friday before a crowd of 859 at Drake Stadium.
“It was great to be back home,” freshman midfielder Chelsea Cline said. “Our energy was so high, and everything was just so exciting.”
The match marked the first Pac-10 game of the season for the Bruins, who have now won 10 consecutive games to improve to 10-1-1.
“We had great energy tonight,” coach Jillian Ellis said. “The players were excited to play. “¦ Overall, our possessions got better as the game went on. Our finishing could have been a bit better, but overall I was pleased.”
The Bruins got things going in the fifth minute when senior forward Kristina Larsen scored from 25 yards out, only after Wildcats goalkeeper Devon Wharf misplayed the ball and let it slip through her hands.
UCLA got on the scoreboard again in the 63rd minute thanks to a yellow card that went against Arizona defender Analisa Marquez. Senior forward Lauren Cheney converted on the ensuing free kick from just outside of the box, scoring her sixth goal of the season and the 59th in her career. With a total of 141 points, Cheney moved into second place on UCLA’s all-time career scoring list behind Traci Arkenberg with 169.
UCLA had a total of 17 shots and seven corner kicks in the game. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Chante’ Sandiford recorded her fifth shutout of the season.
The Bruins will don the home jerseys again on Sunday when they take on Arizona State at 1 p.m.
