Women’s Soccer Notebook

Not bad for starters

With their wins over James Madison and William & Mary over
the weekend, the Bruins extended their record to 7-0, the best
start in the program’s history. Joy Fawcett’s 1997
Pac-10 championship squad won its first six games, and last
season’s team went 9-1 in its first ten contests.

Two thumbs down

Two midfielders suffered thumb injuries in the weekend wins.
Junior Tracey Winzen broke her thumb and is wearing a large cast,
while sophomore Whitney Jones suffered a thumb sprain. Winzen is
out but Jones will play this coming weekend in the inaugural UCLA
Women’s Cup.

Instant impact

Forward Mary-Frances Monroe doesn’t let a single game pass
without leaving her mark. The senior, who transferred last fall
from Connecticut, has netted a goal or provided an assist in each
of the Bruins’ first seven games.

Monroe has six goals (two game-winners), two assists and a
team-leading 28 shots.

Midfield, backfield in motion

UCLA head coach Jillian Ellis decided to move to a 4-2-4
formation during Sunday’s 2-0 win against William &
Mary.

Injuries to Winzen and Jones left the midfield depleted, so
Ellis moved sophomore Sarah-Gayle Swanson to the front line and
gave freshman Amy Fazio her first career start in the
backfield.

Ellis had implemented a 3-4-3 formation to start the season,
which in itself was a shift from last year’s 4-4-2
lineup.

Around the nation

Last week’s marquee national matchup came in South Bend,
Ind., where fourth-ranked Notre Dame (7-0-1) toppled No. 5 Nebraska
(6-1-0) 1-0 behind a goal from senior standout Mia Sarkesian.

UCLA began the season ranked No. 2 and remains in that position,
behind only defending national champion North Carolina.

Notes compiled by Jeff Agase, Daily Bruin Reporter.