UCLA Bruins 2003 [R]

Those are definitely some big hits. I went to watch their final spring match at USC the day before Easter and despite the limited number of available players, the Bruins still won, 2-0. Jill, Katie, and Crystal were at the game but didn't play for the reasons noted above. Katie is one of my favorites of last season's freshmen class. I'll never forget the way she dribbled through and juked practically the entire Stanford defense in last October's game--a 1-0 loss--but that was a great display of talent. It sucks about Jill and Crystal, too. Crystal really came out and was great last season, and I was looking forward to seeing what she could do in 2003. I'm guessing that Katie's and Crystal's injuries happened sometime during the spring season. After the game I didn't think to ask why they didn't play because I figured they were just nursing minor injuries. I don't know if Katie's ACL injury is a new one, or the old ACL injury from her senior year in high school never getting 100% healed.

Aside from the 11 starters, there were only three other players who played in the 'SC match. Normally in a spring match, everyone gets to play, which would've happened if it weren't for the injuries. Sarah Lombardo started and played the whole game at GK. Amy Fazio, Kendal Billingsley, Kathryn Lee, and Stacy Lindstrom were the starting back four. Faz and Kendal also played the full 90. Nandi was at U-21 camp so Stacy moved to central back with Kat to fill in. Faz is still my favorite Bruin defender. She's not flashy or anything, but she's just always consistent and really smart. Allie True, Whitney Jones, and Sarah-Gayle Swanson started in the midfield. Iris Mora, Lindsay Greco, and Kim Devine started up top. I think Kim started...it was either her or Katherine Bjazevich. The three subs were KB (or Kim, depending on who started), Julia Jones, and Jayme Cargnoni.

At this point, I can't really remember too many details about the game. I do know that UCLA still dominates USC when it comes to women's soccer. I hope I haven't jinxed them now that I've said that. The first half ended 0-0 with some good chances from both teams--yeah, believe it or not, 'SC actually had a few scoring opportunities. It wasn't until maybe 15-20 minutes left in the game that someone scored. If I recall correctly, Iris started both goals. Greco finished an easy shot to put UCLA up 1-0. Then about ten minutes later, Iris had a breakaway and played it over to the right side to Allie, who collected the ball quickly and nicely and then launched a rocket from 25 yards out. It hit the bottom of the crossbar (the "ping" sound was loud) and went in for a goal. It probably caught the 'SC keeper off guard because Allie was pretty far out. I was surprised that with UCLA's normally bad luck when it comes to hitting crossbars and goal posts that Allie's goal went in. It was a great goal. Maybe that's a good sign for the 2003 season.

This would be my starting eleven for the 2003 season:
Bardo in goal; Faz, Nandi, Kat, and Kendal in the back; Stacy, Whitney, and Allie in the middle; Sarah-Gayle, Greco, and Iris up top. If Jill were healthy, she'd definitely be in there. The injuries hurt, but UCLA has the personnel to overcome them. I still like UCLA's chances next season.

 

Duke adidas Classic

UCLA travels east for the Duke adidas Classic in Durham to play UNC on 9/19 and then Duke on 9/21.

 

That was actually the only spring match I went to (it was the spring finale). I wanted to go to the two matches against Cal State Fullerton and the West Valley Samba (a club team) at Fullerton the prior weekend, but my IM softball games are on Sunday afternoons so I couldn't go. I was told that we tied Fullerton and beat the club team.

It would've been something to have all of the returning players healthy for the 2003 season. Having Katie (she was wearing a knee brace at the 'SC game), Jill, and Crystal available would make a great UCLA team even better.

You're right--Swanny can play in the midfield, too. She's great in the midfield and up front, but I think I like her a little better as a forward. When she was a freshman, she played primarily as a forward and that's when she set the single-season freshmen record for points (32) and goals (14). She hasn't achieved those numbers in the past two years, but she does so many things well that don't show up in the box scores and stats. The lineup I posted was for a 4-4-3 formation. Jill could easily switch it to a 4-4-2 by moving Swanny to the middle as a flank midfielder. Allie would be on the other flank, and Whitney and Stacy would be in the center.

You definitely should! Could it finally be the Bruins' year? I couldn't tell you how happy it would make me to see Jill coach her team to an NCAA championship. If I had to choose one UCLA game to watch this season, then it would be the game vs. UNC as part of the Duke tournament at Durham in September. That will be a great match. I'm keeping the idea open to possibly flying to North Carolina for that one, but I doubt it'll happen.

Btw, thanks for starting this thread!

 

Wow a 4-4-3 formation. No goalkeeper eh? They must have a hell of a team!!!! Sorry, I couldn't resist

 

Oops, I didn't catch that when I re-read my post before I clicked on "Submit Reply." Now that you brought it up, coaches are always trying different types of formations these days, so why not try something new with a 4-4-3 and no keeper! Just kidding. But I'm glad you caught my mistake because it means that there is at least one other person who is reading this thread.

 

Duke adidas

For those of you thinking about flying east for the weekend, the game against Duke is scheduled at 12:00noon for Sunday the 21st (the UNC game is Friday the 19th at 5pm) The Duke field has plenty of parking and is about 30minutes from the airport. You should be able to get a 4pm+ flight out of Durham and be back in LA by 10pm (your time).

 

Re: Duke adidas

Thanks for the info, David. There's only a small chance that I'll actually be able to go, but still, I'm going to take a look at flight prices. I think it would be fun to go to Durham for the weekend and watch both the UNC and Duke games. I have never seen Duke play, so the opportunity to do so would be nice. Any idea what places in Durham a visitor could stay at for a good price?

 

4-4-3 Formation

Thats ok, its my pleasure to point out that little error We wouldn't want you to have any excuses when Portland repeats this year.

GO PILOTS!!!

 

Re: Re: Duke adidas

Lots of places available now, but I suggest you go ahead and book a room. A few places are already full and I'm thinking it might be parent's weekend at either Duke or UNC (the Fairfield is already booked!). So, here's my suggestions for Durham places:
Hampton (on Hillandale), Millenium, Hilton, Courtyard Mariott (on Front Street). Between Chapel Hill and Durham you'll find a Homewood (on Mt. Moriah) and a La Quinta (on Chapel Hill Blvd) and at an incredibly low rate a Red Roof Inn (on Chapel Hill Blvd in Chapel Hill). If you wait to reserve, you'll likely need to stay in Research Triangle (a little more expensive) or at the airport. Get here on Friday around noon, take a nap then get to the field for the games from 5-9pm at Duke, then hang out on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill that Friday night. On Saturday, go to the Duke Gardens and maybe even go to the Duke-Northwestern Football game (don't pay full price for a ticket. Plenty will be available from sellers at the game. If you're a real soccer junky and don't mind a 45min drive to Raleigh or a 1.5h drive to Winston-Salem, keep an eye out for the NC State and Wake Forest schedules, as they're not out yet). On Sunday, there is a triple header with the Duke Men playing Maryland at 2pm squeezed between the Duke-UCLA and UNC-Richmond matches; oh yeah, no charge for admission at Duke soccer.

 

Re: 4-4-3 Formation

Shoot, now I have to think of some other excuse to have should the Bruins not win the championship this year...but perhaps I won't need one.

 

Very tempting trip...

Nice!

Thanks for the all the hotel info. I wrote all the names down and will find out a little more about them. I did a flight search, and a round trip ticket from LAX to RDU on Northwest is $225. I also did an Air + Hotel search and the lowest rate was $342. The hotel for this package is the Wellesley Suites. Is that a good place to stay at? I'd have to depart from LA on Friday morning at 2am to arrive at RDU around noon (stopover in Memphis), and then the return flight leaves RDU at 5:20pm on Sunday. I have to say, all of this searching for flights and hotels is really tempting, and even though I'm not 100% sure about making this trip, I'll take a small possibility over zero possibility.

 

Re: Very tempting trip...

That hotel, if I'm looking at the right one, is in Research Triangle. It should be okay, but it's not the closest you can be to things (there's nothing to do right there at the Hotel--strictly a business Hotel I'd think). Without traffic, it's about 20-25 minutes to Duke and about 35-40minutes to Chapel Hill. You'd probably do better without a package unless you're getting a huge break on the airlines. You might check Southwest airline?

 

I tried looking at Southwest, but September 19-21 is beyond their current booking schedule. They're only accepting reservations through September 8, so I'm guessing it shouldn't be much longer before I'd be able to see what I could get from Southwest. If I end up going on this trip, I'd take your advice and pay for airfare and hotel separately rather than get a package because it doesn't look like a package saves all that much. The Red Roof Inn on Chapel Hill Blvd that you mentioned does look like a great deal. If I have anymore questions, I'm going to direct them to you.

 

2003 Schedule

The Bruins' 2003 schedule is up. As far as preseason goes, Santa Clara, Pepperdine, and of course the Duke adidas Classic are going to be good games.

 

I see that Michelle French has been replaced as Assistant Coach at UCLA by Mark Carr. Does anyone know why she left?

Mark Carr Named Assistant Women's Soccer Coach
Carr replaces former assistant Michelle French