Junior forward Sydney Leroux returns to women’s soccer team
After a two-week departure, junior forward Sydney Leroux returns for a big weekend in which the No. 13 Bruins will face both No. 16 Cal and No. 1 Stanford.
By Mansi Sheth
Oct. 7, 2010 1:16 a.m.
For two weeks, junior forward Sydney Leroux traded in her blue and gold for red, white and blue. UCLA became USA as Leroux competed against 29 other players for a roster spot on the Full U.S. Women’s National Team in Kennesaw, Ga.
“It was amazing,” Leroux said on training with the National Team. “In the beginning, it was definitely nerve-wracking because this was my first call-up, but every night I felt less and less nervous. In the end, it was a really good experience.”
Having scored 30 goals in 36 total games with the U-20 U.S. National Team, Leroux is no stranger to international competition. However, this was her first appearance at the highest level of senior international play.
A brief reunion with former UCLA forward Lauren Cheney was an additional upside of Leroux’s time in Georgia.
“It was a lot of fun,” Leroux said. “We got to play together for a little bit. I definitely miss (Cheney) here, but she is doing really well in (the Women’s Professional Soccer League). I’m so proud of her.”
With season-defining games against Cal and Stanford this weekend, Leroux is ready to apply everything she has gained from national training to conference play. Her return to the Bruins has already brought a sigh of relief among her teammates.
Despite having missed the last three games, Leroux is still UCLA’s top scorer with six goals in eight matches. Her return is expected to rekindle an offense that was unable to find the back of the net last Friday despite several golden opportunities.
“We are excited to have her back,” coach Jillian Ellis said. “When you have got a potent goal scorer back in your ranks, it’s only going to benefit you.”
The team’s occasional inability to score has been its downfall throughout the season, with UCLA’s only losses this season coming in the form of three 1-0 shutouts. Against tough defensive teams like Cal and Stanford, the Bruins will depend on Leroux’s speed and technical ability to provide just the right touch to register more goals.
“It’s going to be a huge boost,” senior midfielder Kylie Wright said. “We definitely missed her when she was out for these past three games. Her ability to turn and shoot, her speed and just her willingness to get to the goal is going to be important for us. It will be great to have her back on the field.”
After a disappointing loss to Pepperdine that snapped a 73-match home unbeaten streak, will Leroux provide a jolt of confidence for the Bruins this weekend? Ellis doesn’t think the team needs it.
“We have played and won without her, so I don’t think the team is looking for confidence. It’s just nice to have one of your players back,” she said.
