UCLA gets preseason No. 2 nod
By Daily Bruin Staff
Aug. 19, 2001 9:00 p.m.
 Daily Bruin File Photo Stephanie Rigamat
eyes the ball as she looks to strike it in the third round of the
NCAA tournament last year.
By Jeff Agase
Daily Bruin Reporter
The UCLA women’s soccer team received its highest
preseason ranking ever when it was selected No. 2 by the National
Soccer Coaches Association of America.
The Bruins (19-4-1 in 2000, 6-2-1 in the Pac-10) return eight
starters from a team that advanced to the national championship
game last season ““ the first time ever in the Bruin
program’s nine-year history.
In addition, senior Mary-Frances Monroe, a new Bruin by way of
the University of Connecticut, and returning senior Stephanie
Rigamat were announced among the 13 nominees for the Hermann
Trophy, college soccer’s oldest and most prestigious
award.
Also returning after a season-ending leg injury is U.S. National
Team and 2000 U.S. Olympic alternate Nandi Pryce. She will join a
defense that allowed just 10 goals in 24 games a year ago.
UCLA lost just three starters from the 2000 season to
graduation, forward Tracey Milburn, midfielder Venus James and
defender Karissa Hampton. All three were integral to the squad as
emotional leaders. Bruin head coach Jillian Ellis will rely on a
possible eight starting seniors to fill the leadership void.
The lone team ahead of the Bruins is defending national champion
North Carolina, which beat UCLA 2-1 in the finals of the 2000
College Cup (women’s soccer Final Four) to win its 17th
national title in the last 20 years.
“It is a good thing,” said Ellis, last year’s
NSCAA National Coach of the Year. “We want to finish No. 1,
and it’s a good reminder that we are indeed No. 2 right
now.”
The Bruins’ 2001 schedule includes six games against teams
ranked in the preseason top 25, including a Sept. 1 season-opener
in the Fila Classic against No. 3 Portland. Last season, UCLA
disposed of Portland in the NCAA semifinals. Rounding out the top
five are 2000 NCAA semifinalist Notre Dame and Big XII power
Nebraska. Five of the top 25 teams come from straight from the
Pac-10.
“The strength of the Pac-10 helps us because it prepares
us playing such tough games,” Ellis said. “In order to
be the best, you have to beat the best.”
