UCLA Bruins
Overall Rank: #1
#1 Pac-12
UCLA Team Page
It was an epic 2013 season for UCLA women’s soccer under head coach Amanda Cromwell as the Bruins claimed their first national championship in program history. The ability to go through a gauntlet of North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida State in order to win the national title was a huge statement for the Bruins. Thus, with a ton of quality returning players in 2014 it will be fascinating to see how UCLA responds as being the hunted. They will be everyone’s national title match this season.
2013 Record: 22-1-3, 9-0-2
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Amanda Cromwell
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Darian Jenkins, Sophomore, F, 11
Assists: Sarah Killion, Senior, M, 12
Shots: Sam Mewis, Senior, M, 73
Saves: Katelyn Rowland, Senior, GK, 65
Other Key Returnees: F Taylor Smith, F Kodi Lavrusky, F Rosie White, M Caprise Dydasco, M Gabbi Miranda, D Ally Courtnall, D Abby Dahlkemper, D Megan Oyster
Key Losses: M Jenna Richmond
Strengths:
The Bruins are absolutely tremendous defensively as they as the best goals-against average in the nation last season at 0.296. Abby Dahlkemper will be anchoring things along the backline as one of the top center backs in the nation. Senior goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland returns this fall looking to replicate her stellar 2013 season. Up front, sophomore forward Darian Jenkins returns to lead a very balanced offensive attack for UCLA. Jenkins scored 11 goals as a freshman in 2013 and it will be interesting to see what adjustments are made by other teams in defending her. Sarah Killion will be counted on heavily once again in the midfield. Killion, has spent time with the full national team at the Algarve Cup and will be looking to build upon that international experience this fall.
Weaknesses:
There are very few weaknesses with this UCLA side. If anything, it might help save the Bruins some stressful moments if they could be just a little more explosive offensively and get their scoring average closer to 2.5 goals per match. The only fear for UCLA if they don’t become a little more explosive would be if they have a run of bad luck in an NCAA Tournament match and lose 1-0 on a fluke goal.
Final Projection:
The schedule for the Bruins is very loaded with tough matches, but most of them are at home which will be a huge bonus for this UCLA side. They open at home against Maryland on August 22nd. This is a Terrapin side looking to make a huge statement as they start their journey in the Big Ten. A quarterfinals rematch from last season awaits as North Carolina comes to Drake Stadium. In addition, Wake Forest visits on September 12th after a road trip over to Hawaii. The Pac-12 schedule finishes with a long stretch on the road highlighted by a tricky road matchup on October 31st at Washington State. Look for the Bruins to be back in the College Cup in December barring major injuries.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.96 (44th in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.296 (1, 1)
Shutout Percentage: 0.692 (6, 2)
Save Percentage: 0.893 (3, 1)
Madness 2015 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#2 Samantha Mewis
#3 Abby Dahlkemper
#6 Sarah Killion
#11 Ally Courtnall
#12 Katelyn Rowland
#18 Caprice Dydasco
#30 Megan Oyster
#35 Rosie White
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#3 Gabrielle Matulich
#11 Mackenzie Cerda
#23 Chloe Hemingway
#69 Arielle Schechtman
#72 Samantha Kokoska
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
