UCLA women’s soccer to face off with undefeated Washington State

Katelyn Rowland has already ensured that her name will appear in the UCLA women’s soccer record book.

The junior goalkeeper stands in fourth place for most career wins and sixth in career saves at UCLA. She’s continued to have a solid performance this season. Rowland has allowed four goals in 10 games, making 29 saves along the way. She has also registered five shutouts for a total of 26 career shutouts, which ties her for third in the UCLA record book. Rowland will have to show another strong performance when UCLA plays against undefeated Washington State today.

Sophomore forward Taylor Smith praised the importance of Rowland’s leadership for the Bruins.

“Katelyn is awesome (and) she’s had a great season,” Smith said. “She’s such a strong part of our team on and off the field. She’s a leader back there … and we’re all so proud of her.”

But Rowland said she owes her teammates all the success she’s had. Her achievements are a reflection of what the team has accomplished as a whole.

“I really take no success personally,” Rowland said. “My team has helped me and my team is part of that success and without them there is no way that I will be as successful. I feel so blessed to be playing with them and I give them all the credit.”

Rowland and the Bruins will be challenged today when they face off against the Cougars.

Washington State comes to Westwood making some history of its own. The team carries a 14-match unbeaten streak, which is the longest active streak in the country. The Cougars’ defense is nearly impenetrable, allowing only three goals in 10 matches. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Gurveen Clair is fourth in the country, allowing an average of 0.295 goals per game.

Washington State is also one of six Division 1 unbeaten teams in the nation, and one of three in the Pac-12, the other two being Stanford and California.

The Bruins’ defense has been nearly as flawless, allowing only four goals in the season. But their biggest weapon comes from their high-powered offense. Although the team is fourth in the conference in goals scored with 21, it has outshot its foes in most games.

Offensively, Washington State’s senior forward Micaela Castain leads the Pac-12 with 10 goals, while UCLA’s freshman forward Darian Jenkins leads the Bruins with seven goals.

With the teams sharing similar statistics, the match against Washington State will be a battle of stout goalkeepers, impermeable defenses and high-powered offenses.

Freshman midfielder Gabbi Miranda said she’s happy with the way UCLA has bonded and that the team needs to improve for every game in order to get the win.

“We had pretty incredible team chemistry all the way through preseason until now and improvement-wise we just have to keep getting better day in and day out,” Miranda said. “It’s our first home season game, so it’ll be nice to get a lot of support … we just have to take every game with the same amount of significance and we are just going to make sure to do what we can to come out on top.”