UCLA Men’s Soccer Ranks 4th In The Preseason Poll
Jan 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A UCLA Bruins logo at the entrance to Pauley Pavilion before the UCLA Bruins defeated Arizona State Sun Devils 87-72. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports
The UCLA Men’s Soccer team has been ranked 4th by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in the preseason poll. The Bruins had an unfortunate end to their 2013 season as they lost in the 3rd round of the NCAA Tournament on penalty kicks to Connecticut, despite getting the overall #1 seed. That should be a different story this year as they bring back a solid group.
The @UCLAWSoccer team is No. 1 and @UCLAMSoccer is No. 4 in the preseason @nscaa rankings! pic.twitter.com/DDc3VXyENz
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) August 7, 2014
UCLA looks build off last season as they have returning goal and assist leader, senior Leo Stolz leading the way for the Bruins. Joining him is team captain and All-American senior goalkeeper Earl Edwards, who will be looking to make a big impact in his final season. UCLA was also lucky enough to get Loyola University Maryland transfer, Larry Ndjock, who had a team-high 12 goals for the Greyhounds last season. On top of that, add the #1 recruiting class (for the second year in a row) and you have a recipe for dominance.
Leo Stolz, who finished 3rd in voting for the 2013 @HermannTrophy, leads the 2014 Watch List: http://t.co/vJ9eW10hif pic.twitter.com/oUDjRakuST
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) August 6, 2014
As for their schedule, UCLA starts off the season with two exhibition games: August 19 vs Nebraska Omaha and August 23 vs the Los Angeles All-Stars. The season officially begins Friday, August 29 at 4:30 PT at Wake Forest. The first official home game will be Friday, September 12 vs Santa Clara at 8:00 p.m.
Fans, your 1st chance to see the Bruins in action will be on Tuesday, Aug. 19 as UCLA takes on Nebraska-Omaha in an exhibition match at NAF!
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) July 29, 2014
Schedule update: our Aug. 23 exhibition game will take place at Drake Stadium at 6pm against the Los Angeles All-Stars. #gobruins
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) August 5, 2014
The Bruins will definitely have a tough road back to the NCAA tourney as they face 7 teams that were named to the Top 25: #11 Wake Forest, #22 North Carolina, #5 New Mexico, #18 UC Santa Barbara, #6 Washington, #7 California (twice) and #20 Stanford (twice).
Live Feed
Betsided
Here is the NSCAA Top 25:
1 Notre Dame
2 Maryland
3 Virginia
4 UCLA
5 New Mexico
6 Washington
7 California
8 Connecticut
9 Georgetown
10 Michigan State
11 Wake Forest
12 Marquette
13 Akron
14 Louisville
15 Penn State
16 UC Irvine
17 Coastal Carolina
18 UC Santa Barbara
19 UMBC
20 Stanford
21 Wisconsin
22 North Carolina
23 Charlotte
24 Navy
25 Old Dominion
Stolz, Amick earn @TopDrawerSoccer Preseason Best XI honors. Gaspar, Danladi on Freshman Best XI team: http://t.co/oaKZfAMl9P
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) August 6, 2014
Go Bruins!