Women’s soccer sustains consecutive losses against Virginia, Texas
Junior Lauren Kaskie was the only Bruin who managed to net a goal in UCLA’s upset loss to Texas. (Miriam Bribiesca/Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Korbin Placet
Sept. 8, 2015 9:02 a.m.
The UCLA women’s soccer team is going through some early growing pains.
After suffering a 2-1 loss to postseason rival No. 1 Virginia and then being upset by unranked Texas, it appears the Bruins have to improve if they want reach the level of last year’s championship-caliber team.
On Friday night, the Cavaliers dominated the possession of the ball and gave little room for the No. 14 Bruins to attack.
“Overall it is frustrating when you don’t get the result you want, but we could have played much better,” said coach Amanda Cromwell. “There (were) moments of really good soccer and then there were moments of being a little too tentative and not aware of our teammates – you know – being proactive instead of reacting.”
UCLA’s lone goal was from senior forward Taylor Smith. After being fouled in the box in the 17th minute, Smith scored off a penalty goal kick, giving the Bruins a lead heading into the second half.
Virginia continued their onslaught in the last 45 minutes. The Bruins let the Cavaliers score off a penalty goal kick in the 50th minute and then again in the 57th off a header from a cross.
“They are good at attacking side, they throw a lot of numbers forward, they get a lot of people in the box for crosses and I think they were dangerous,” said goalkeeper Cassie Sternbach. “They are definitely the most dynamic team we have faced this year.”
One thing the Bruins can take solace in after Friday’s loss was Sternbach looking comfortable in front of the net. Although she allowed two goals, the 5-foot-6 redshirt junior had eight impressive saves during the night.
Stenrbach has had the burden of replacing All-American and Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year Katelyn Rowland. Rowland only allowed six goals the entire season last year. The match against Virginia was Sternbach’s fourth start and fourth time playing since the start of her time at UCLA.
Towards the end of the second half Cromwell argued with the sideline referee after a questionable foul was called against UCLA, resulting in a yellow card against the coach. Then in the 88th minute, a foul was called on by Virginia.
The Caviler coaches also complained before storming back to the bench. Crowell, seconds later, went up to the same referee baffled that he didn’t yellow card the Virginia coach. The referee immediately red carded Cromwell and asked her to leave for the last two minutes of the game.
Longhorns Upset
In UCLA’s match against unranked Texas on Sunday, the Bruins’ play offensively was by the best of the season so far, posting a season high of 12 shots on goal.
However, the Longhorns’ goalie, Abby Smith, was wall at the net, blocking 11 of the Bruins’ shots. Only junior midfielder Lauren Kaskie was able to net a goal which was able tie the game.
“Nothing was working when we were serving it in so we decided to run it short, Taylor (Smith) and I. We had done this all practice,” Kaskie said. “She played it short, went in line, I overlapped her, she cut me back and I just hit in far post and that got us back in the game.”
Texas’ second goal was off a miscommunication between junior midfielder Gabbi Miranda and Sternbach. Miranda collided with Sternbach, allowing Texas’ Alexa Adams to tap it into the goal. It was the low moment of the night and took away from what was a strong UCLA performance.
“Probably our best attacking match of the year, minus some in the back of the net,” said assistant coach Joshua Walters. “We have taken one step forward each game, and I think is still a step forward even though we didn’t get the result we wanted.”
Cromwell’s ejection on Friday caused her to be suspended for the match against Texas. Walters and assistant coach Louise Lieberman took over for the game.
“It was difficult. Amanda is the backbone and the life blood of this program,” Walters said. “Her voice is big on the sideline. We definitely missed her presence here. But she trained them all week, they were prepared, the coach staff was prepared.”
The Bruins are inexperienced after last year’s nine seniors played a majority of game time. Cromwell said it is her hope that their matches and constant scrimmages will be able to bring them to national contender level by the time of the start of the Pac-12 season. That gives them two weeks to learn from these early losses.
