UCLA Women’s Soccer 2016 Season Preview

UCLA Women’s Soccer Preview

If you are currently riding the soccer fever and wondering what you would do once the US Women’s Soccer team gets the gold medal, worry no more, because UCLA Women’s Soccer season is upon us.

This will be Head Coach Amanda Cromwell’s fourth year with the Bruins. In her first year with the team, Cromwell led UCLA to its first ever NCAA title. The second year was just as successful, with the Bruins getting to the NCAA Quarterfinals and finishing with a 21-1-2 record.

Last year, the Bruins experienced a bit of a setback, going 8-10-1 after losing nine starters, including six players who were drafted in the 2015 NWSL Draft.

Knowing that something needed to get done, Cromwell got to work and signed the No. 1 freshman class in the nation.

Here’s what we can expect this coming season:

Table of Contents

Either click “NEXT” to advance the slideshow, or if you wish to jump to a specific section, click one of the links below:

1. UCLA Women’s Soccer Preview
2. Players to Watch
3. Coaches/Staff
4. Schedule
5. 2015 Result
6. 2016 Outlook, Ticket and Social Media info

Next: Players to Watch

Players to Watch

Unlike the beginning of the 2015 season, this time, the Bruins have seven seniors returning. Among the stars to highlight, expect Gabbi Miranda, Annie Alvarado, and Courtney Proctor to show their experience. These Bruins will also be eager to leave their mark in their last year, so the hunger to win big will be noticeable.

Related Story: UCLA Women's Soccer Primed for Second National Championship

The competition for the goalkeeper position is about to get interesting. Junior Siri Ervik is returning to the Bruins, bringing with her the experience. However, in the eight games she played last season, she allowed a total of 16 goals. That is not a comforting stat for the keeper.

On the other hand, the Bruins will be adding to the roster freshman Teagan Micah, who hails from Australia. Micah has not seen any playing time with the Bruins, but she has played for Australian team Western Sydney Wanderers. Micah also has big hands, quick feet, and she’s a bit taller than Ervik. Even if the veteran gets the start, I see Micah seeing action with the Bruins very early on.

But this isn’t all. The Bruins incoming freshman class is ranked No. 1 in the nation, and there’s good reason for that. Freshmen Mal Pugh and Jessie Fleming are currently representing Teams USA and Canada, respectively in Rio. Just this week, Pugh became the difference maker for USA as she scored her first Olympic goal against Colombia.

Also joining the team are Marley Canales, Jacey Pederson, Kaiya McCullough, and Sunny Dunphy. Transfer Julia Hernandez, who has already seen some action with the Bruins, will also make her presence felt early on.

Next: Coaches and Staff

Coaches/Staff

Head Coach: Amanda Cromwell

Assistant Coach: Louise Lieberman

Assistant Coach: Joshua Walters

Goalkeeper Coach (Volunteer): Aline Reis

Director of Soccer Operations: Sam Greene

Cromwell is no doubt a winner. Her UCLA record includes a whooping 51 wins, 12 losses, and 6 ties. Under her leadership, the Bruins earned their first ever NCAA Championship and took home the Pac-12 title in 2013 and 2014.

Last year was rough for the Bruins. Cromwell understood that, so she made necessary changes. She looked for the best talent she could find and brought it to Westwood. Cromwell was also influential in the $5-million dollar donation UCLA Soccer received to update the North Athletic Field. Cromwell knows that UCLA deserves the best, and she is not afraid to go out and get it.

But the coach currently stealing the headlines is goalkeeper coach Aline Reis. Reis was tapped by the Brazil squad to play in Rio. Reis got her first start this week against South Africa, and she was flawless. UCLA can only hope that Reis will come back more experienced and ready to pass on her knowledge to Ervik and Micah.

Next: 2016 Schedule

Schedule

UCLA Bruins

Sat, Aug 13, 4 p.m. vs. BYU (S)

Fri, Aug 19, 7 p.m. at San Diego State

Mon, Aug 22, 7 p.m. vs. Beijing Normal University (S)(P)

Fri, Aug 26, 5:30 p.m. at Texas A&M (SN)

Sun, Aug 28, 3 p.m. vs. Florida (P)

Fri, Sep 2, 8 p.m. vs. Penn State (P)

Fri, Sep 9, 7 p.m. vs. North Carolina (P)

Sun, Sep 11, 5 p.m. vs. San Diego

Fri, Sep 16, 3 p.m. at Pepperdine

Sun, Sep 18, 6 p.m. vs. Long Beach State

Thu, Sep 22, 7 p.m. vs. Arizona State (P)

Thu, Sep 29, 7 p.m. at Oregon State

Sun, Oct 2, 1 p.m. at Oregon (P)

Thu, Oct 6, 7 p.m. vs. California (P)

Sun, Oct 9, 1 p.m. vs. Stanford

Thu, Oct 13, 7 p.m. at Arizona (P)

Thu, Oct 20, 5 p.m. vs. Washington (P)

Sun, Oct 23, 1 p.m. vs. Washington State

Thu, Oct 27, 2 p.m. at Colorado (P)

Sun, Oct 30, 1 p.m. at Utah (P)

Fri, Nov 4, 3 p.m. at USC (P)

(S) – Scrimmage

(P) – Pac-12 Network

(SN) – SEC Network

Next: 2015 Result

2015 Result

Overall: 8-10-1

Pac-12: 4-6-1

Home: 6-3-1

Away: 2-7-0

There is no reason to sugarcoat it: 2015 was not a good season for the Bruins. The record shows it, and UCLA’s absence in the Pac-12 tournament underscores it. To make matters worse, the Bruins lost their last game of the season to USC.

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At the end of the season, the Bruins had six seniors play their last game in Westwood. In addition, sophomore Arielle Schechtman, who could have been the starter for the Bruins this year, transferred to Georgetown.

The numbers are clear that the Bruins struggled more when away and in non-conference play. But more precisely, the Bruins struggled, period.

Next: 2016 Outlook, Tickets and Social Media Information

2016 Outlook

Every year brings with it the hope of a new, improved season. Last year was rough for the Bruins, but looking back isn’t the answer. It’s time to move forward.

UCLA is packed with talent all around. The freshmen will bring plenty of energy, while the seniors will hustle to finish their college careers right. The chance to see greatness in the Bruins this year is high.

However, the Bruins’ 2016 schedule is arguably more challenging than last year’s. The Bruins are set to play former NCAA Champions Florida, Penn State, North Carolina, and Stanford. But, all four of these games will be in Westwood, giving the Bruins the home advantage.

Projected Record: 23-1-2

Ticket & Social Media Information

Visit UCLABruins.com for ticket information for single-game and group tickets.

Follow UCLA Women’s Soccer on Social Media:

Twitter – @UCLAWSoccer

Facebook – UCLA Women’s Soccer

Next: UCLA Athletics: Fall Sports Season and Home Openers

GO BRUINS!