UCLA women’s soccer leads U.S. National Team to victories abroad
By Rebecca Lee
Jan. 26, 2010 9:24 p.m.
Despite being more than a month removed from the end of the NCAA soccer season, members of the women’s soccer team have not taken a break from their sport.
Captain of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team, UCLA junior-to-be forward Sydney Leroux scored the game-winning goal to defeat Mexico 2-1 for the U.S. this week. Sophomore-to-be midfielder Zakiya Bywaters also plays for the U-20 U.S. squad, which UCLA coach Jillian Ellis coaches.
Having won its first three games of the at Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatamala City, Team USA claimed first place in Group B at the 2010 CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship. The U.S. will square off against Group A runner-up Costa Rica in the first semifinal Thursday.
Having registered five goals on the U.S.’s three wins, Leroux scored a pair of goals against both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago last week. Leroux, Golden Ball and Golden Shoe winner at the 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile, was UCLA’s leading scorer in this past season with 48 points on 23 goals and two assists.
Compiled by Rebecca Lee, Bruin Sports senior staff.
