UCLA women’s soccer to face Tennessee, Kentucky in series of cross-country games
Senior defender Lilly Reale dribbles through three opponents. Reale has been a crucial member of the Bruins’ defensive line this season, with the team only allowing one goal throughout their first six games. (Daily Bruin file photo)
By Chloe Agas
Sept. 4, 2024 11:59 a.m.
The Bruins say goodbye to the West Coast as they embark on their cross-country trip.
No. 9 UCLA women’s soccer (5-1) will be competing in a series of cross-country matches against Tennessee (3-1) and Kentucky (5-0) on Thursday and Sunday, respectively, marking the second and third of six away matches in a row.
UCLA faces Tennessee for the first time in 13 years, with the last matchup gifting a 2-1 victory for the Bruins. Just a state away, Sunday’s matchup presents another opportunity for the Bruins to add another to the win column, with the last duel against the Wildcats coming 11 years ago in a 3-0 victory.
For senior defender Lilly Reale, unlocking and creating opportunities on the pitch will be a key improvement as the team sets foot on the road.
“I think if we can learn to create as a team, score or get a couple more chances and create a little bit more on the attacking third, then that’s hopefully how we’re going to be able to be successful on the road,” Reale said.
Despite the upcoming games this weekend, a number of Bruins are still absent, either sidelined due to injury or continuing to compete in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. However, the new additions to the roster provided an opportunity to restructure aspects in matchplay.
Coach Margueritte Aozasa said the addition of the latest transfers adds a new dynamic to the current roster for the season.
“Ryan (graduate student goalkeeper Ryan Campbell) has been just a huge rock for us. Meg (graduate student midfielder Meg Boade) has been just a creative mind in the midfield,” Aozasa said. “Boyden (junior forward Lily Boyden), has put it in shift after shift, and Alice (senior midfielder Alice Barbieri), she adds some of that structure,”
Between experienced and fresh players alike, the challenges also lie in adjustment on the pitch.
“While we are definitely missing those players on and off the field, being able to give our team the confidence and inspiration to step up in big moments and have some of the freshmen, sophomores and juniors who haven’t played as much as many minutes to step into those roles and play as confident as they can,” Reale said.
The Southeast matchups will commence against Tennessee this Thursday, followed by Kentucky on Sunday.
