Women’s soccer notebook

Thursday, November 12, 1998

Women’s soccer notebook

Bruins earn bye

in NCAA tournament

No. 18 UCLA (17-3-1, 7-2) earned a bye for the first round of
the 1998 NCAA women’s soccer tournament and will play BYU who
defeated Stanford in the first round. The match between UCLA and
BYU will be on Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. at the North Athletic Field.

UCLA co-champions in the Pac-10

The Bruins are Co-Pac-10 Champions with Cal and USC, but due to
tie-breaking rules, received an at-large bid and not the automatic
bid. UCLA is the only team of the five Pac-10 teams selected
(Stanford, Southern Cal, UC Berkeley and Washington) to receive a
first-round bye.

UCLA is 5-3 against tournament teams, defeating Nebraska,
Baylor, Stanford, Washington and UNC-Charlotte and losing to San
Diego State, Southern Cal and UC Berkeley.

UCLA in post-season for third time

This will be UCLA’s third trip to the NCAA tournament in the
program’s six-year history. UCLA made its first appearance in 1995,
falling to Washington 2-1 in the first round.

The Bruins advanced all the way to the quarter-finals last
season. The squad knocked off No. 7-seeded Portland 1-0 in the
first round, joining Notre Dame as the only two teams to defeat the
Pilots at home.

Beth Thompson recorded her first career goal in the 43rd minute
to lead UCLA to its biggest win in school history.

UCLA travelled to Dallas for the second round, defeating SMU 3-2
behind goals from Shannon Thomas, Venus James and Sarah Miller.

The Bruins advanced to the quarter finals to play No. 2 seed
Notre Dame, but fell to the Fighting Irish 8-0.

UCLA vs. BYU

and Stanford

The No. 13 Cougars (18-4-0) won the only match-up between the
two teams, defeating the Bruins 3-1 last season. The Cougars lost
to San Diego State 2-1 in the fourth overtime of the title game of
the WAC Championship.

The Bruins defeated the Cardinal (11-6-2, 5-4) 2-1 earlier this
season in Pac-10 conference action. After defeating Stanford last
season for the first time in school history, UCLA evened up the
series record to 2-2-1 with the win earlier this year.

Back-to-back

Pac-10 champions

UCLA won its second consecutive Pac-10 title, finishing league
play with a 7-2 record. The Bruins are co-champions with USC and
Cal, who also finished the season with a 7-2 Pac-10 record. UCLA
finished last season with a 9-0 record in league play, winning
UCLA’s first women’s soccer Pac-10 title.

Scoring arsenal

UCLA’s offense this season is deeper than any team ever to take
the field for UCLA, with five players scoring in double figures.
The ’98 squad’s 139 team points lead the Pac-10 and are the second
highest point total in school history.

For the first time in school history, the Bruins have scored
four goals in three consecutive games (Oregon State, USC and
Arizona). Fifteen different Bruins have scored points for UCLA this
season. UCLA has five players in the top-25 in scoring, four in the
top-13 in goals scored, and three in the top-10 in assists in the
Pac-10.

Seniority

Helping lead UCLA’s young squad, senior forward Larisa
Kiremidjian has contributed greatly this season. She ranks fifth on
the team in scoring with 12 points (5g, 2a).

Kiremidjian currently ranks third on UCLA’s career points (35)
and goals scored (14) lists.

Also providing senior leadership this season is midfielder
Louise Lieberman. She is currently ranked sixth on the team in
points with eight (2g, 4a). Lieberman was named to the Soccer
America’s "Team of the Week" earlier this season after scoring the
lone goal in UCLA’s 1-0 win over No. 25 Baylor.

Lieberman and Kiremidjian made the "Team of the Week" in the
same week, marking the first time in school history that two Bruins
have received this honor in the same week. Lieberman is currently
tied for second on the team in assists (four) and ranks second on
UCLA’s career assists list with 17.

No goal patrol

The ’98 Bruin defense, led by junior Skylar Little, sophomore
Karissa Hampton and freshman Krista Boling, has had a strong
season. In the win against Arizona, UCLA recorded its 11th shutout,
breaking the school record of 10 set by last season’s squad. The
Bruin defense limited Oregon State to a school record one shot.
Navy, Loyola College of Baltimore and Villanova had just two shots.
Oregon only managed three shots on goal.

Notes compiled by A.CinQue Carter, Daily Bruin contributor

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