Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Women’s Soccer Is Almost Here! Are You Ready?

By Mike Regalado

facebooktwitterreddit

Dec 8, 2013; Cary, NC, USA; UCLA Bruins team celebrates with the NCAA Championship trophy. The Bruins defeated the Seminoles 1-0 in overtime at WakeMed Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

One year ago, UCLA Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Amanda Cromwell was about to start her first season at her new place of employment: the University of California, Los Angeles. She had been hand-picked by Athletic Director Dan Guerrero from an amazing run at the University of Central Florida. From 1999-2012, Cromwell led the Golden Knights to a 204-83-26 record that included ten NCAA Tournament appearances. Unfortunately, they were never able to make it past the Elite Eight. That changed immediately when Cromwell got to UCLA.

She had a pretty good first season, some would say. The Bruins went 9-0-2 in conference, 22-1-3 overall and was convincingly selected for the NCAA Tournament, where they were the overall #2 seed. And by now you might already know that Cromwell led the Bruins to the Championship game where they beat

Florida State

1-0 in extra time to capture the 2013 Championship. It is all just part of the job.

Cromwell won a Championship in her first season. So what does she do now? Win it again, of course.

The Bruins are defending National Champions and just like any champion, they want to stay on top. So far, so good for Cromwell. UCLA returns their top five point getters from last year, including, leading scorer sophomore forward Darian Jenkins and championship clenching goal scorer, Kodi Lavrusky. Overall, ten starters are returning for the title defense including Caprice Dydasco, Sarah Killian, Sam Mewis, Taylor Smith and Rosie White, all of who had 10 or more points last year. Talk about making it tough for the opposition.

And if that was not enough, Cromwell has enlisted the help of eight players that made up the #4 recruiting class in the country to assist in their 2014 campaign. This is the #1 team in the nation (at least they should be when the rankings come out) that just might be better then they were last year.

Live Feed

Philadelphia Union: Heading Towards Redemption in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup
Philadelphia Union: Heading Towards Redemption in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup /

MLS Multiplex

  • Messi, Vitinha, and the Complexities of Soccer Behind the ScenesMLS Multiplex
  • Orlando City SC: On the Path to Glory in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup PlayoffsMLS Multiplex
  • Columbus Crew 3-0 Chicago Fire: Different leagueMLS Multiplex
  • Early Exit by Messi: What Really Happened Against Toronto FC?MLS Multiplex
  • Brandon Vazquez: The Heart and Soul of FC CincinnatiMLS Multiplex

    • So… when does the 2014 season get going and where can you see them? The Bruins have a scrimmage with Texas A&M on Friday, August 15 and officially start the season with a four-game home stand a week later on Friday, August 22 against Maryland. Two days later, UCLA plays host to UC Irvine. Friday, August 29 will be a 2013 NCAA Tournament rematch against North Carolina whom the Bruins defeated 1-0 in double overtime in the quarterfinals. Two days later, the Bruins square off against San Diego.

    As for exposure, the Bruins will be on television 15 out of 10 games. 14 games will be on the Pac-12 Network, with the game on Friday, September 19 at Texas on the Longhorn Network. For the full schedule, click here.

    So there you go, several reasons to check out UCLA Women’s Soccer this year and many ways to do it. And if you can, try to make it out to Drake Stadium to cheer on your Bruins as this should be another epic season. Good luck this year Coach Cromwell.

    Go Bruins!