W.soccer briefs

Wednesday, February 24, 1999

W.soccer briefs

All-star lineup

UCLA women’s soccer head coach Todd Saldana continued laying the
foundation for an elite program last Tuesday.

Headlining the 1999 recruiting class is midfielder Tracey Winzen
from Yorba Linda, Calif.

"Winzen will add tenacity and speed in the middle of the
midfield for us," said Saldana.

Winzen, a member of the Olympic Developmental Program, chose
UCLA over some of the other top programs in the West. The Bruins
already have returning All-Far West selections, sophomores Sommer
Hammoud and Venus James starring in the midfield.

UCLA added a potent scoring threat to their frontline by going
across the country to Georgia and acquiring All-American Jessica
Winton. Winton notched an astounding 48 goals as a junior at
Westminster High School in Atlanta.

"Signing Winton has secured our depth in goal scoring and
created more competition for our forwards," said Saldana.

Winton, also a member of the Olympic Developmental Program, will
be looking to break into the rotation right away, joining the
All-Far West selection and last season’s leading scorer, freshman
Staci Duncan, and prolific sophomore, Tracey Milburn.

For the goal, the Bruins snagged All-American keeper Emily Koch
from South Torrance. The local standout led South Torrance High
School to a victory in the California state championship game and
won All-CIF honors as a senior.

"Koch adds a personality and leadership that will carry this
program to the next level," said Saldana of his new netminder.

Koch looks to make an immediate impact and will battle junior
All-Far West selection Lindsay Culp for playing time.

Last year’s team finished as back-to-back Pac-10 champions with
a 17-4-1 record, but the season ended rather abruptly in a loss to
BYU in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Saldana added, "We have such a strong returning class, that our
recruiting this year was very specific."

Last year’s team was marked as much by talent as it was by
youth. The majority of the team’s minutes went to freshmen or
sophomores.

Notes compiled by Greg Lewis, Daily Bruin staff

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