UCLA Bruins
Pac-12
The UCLA Bruins finished the job in the 2013 NCAA Tournament by finally winning the first national championship in program history riding outstanding defensive play. The 2014 season has been more of the same as the Bruins have been outstanding defensively and have developed a nice mix of scoring depth that will put them in position to be a favorite to repeat as College Cup Champions.
2014 Record: 18-0-2, 10-0-1
Coach: Amanda Cromwell
Good Results: 9/7 Pepperdine (2-0), 10/9 Stanford (2-1)
Bad Results: 8/29 North Carolina (0-0), 9/26 at Arizona State (1-1)
Why They Can Surprise:
The scoring and overall dominance from senior midfielder Sam Mewis has been impressive. She has taken charge and become the leader of the balanced UCLA attack. The forward combination of sophomore Darian Jenkins and senior Taylor Smith has also been very steady and done a nice job of finishing chances setup by the midfielders. Their ability to lock people down and make teams have the push forward from behind in the second half is a huge asset for the Bruins. The combination of an experienced backline led by seniors Abby Dahlkemper, Caprice Dydasco, Megan Oyster and goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland have been very difficult to break down consistently for opposing sides this season.
Why They Can Disappoint:
If you are going to knock off UCLA you have to find a way to get an early goal to force the Bruins to push forward, but even then it’s not a guarantee of a getting a result if you are a Florida State, Virginia or North Carolina. When UCLA has settled for draws this season they have controlled the run of play but were unlucky, at times, in the final attacking third. The team that can contain UCLA in the final attacking third and be efficient with their limited chances is the team that will get a result against the Bruins in the NCAA Tournament…maybe.
Key Strikers:
Darian Jenkins, Sophomore, 5 goals, 2 assists
Taylor Smith, Senior, 7 goals, 5 assists
Rosie White, Senior, 5 goals, 3 assists
Key Midfielders:
Sam Mewis, Senior, 14 goals, 11 assists
Sarah Killion, Senior, 7 goals, 10 assists
Key Defenders:
Abby Dahlkemper, Senior, 0 goals, 2 assists
Megan Oyster, Senior, 1 goal, 1 assist
Caprice Dydasco, Senior, 2 goals, 7 assists
Zoey Goralski, Freshman, 2 goals, 3 assists
Key Goalkeepers:
Katelyn Rowland, Senior, 0.20 goals against average, .913 save percentage, 16 shutouts
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.74 (7th in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.206 (1, 1)
Shutout Percentage: .789 (1, 1)
Save Percentage: .913 (1, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 First Round Defeated San Diego State
2013 Second Round Defeated Kentucky
2013 Third Round Defeated Stanford
2013 Quarterfinals Defeated North Carolina
2013 Semifinals Defeated Virginia
2013 Finals Defeated Florida State
2012 First Round Defeated Wisconsin
2012 Second Round Defeated Kentucky
2012 Third Round Lost to Stanford
2011 First Round Defeated New Mexico
2011 Second Round Lost to San Diego
2010 First Round Defeated BYU
2010 Second Round Defeated UCF
2010 Third Round Lost to Stanford
2009 First Round Defeated Boise State
2009 Second Round Defeated San Diego State
2009 Third Round Defeated Virginia
2009 Quarterfinals Defeated Portland
2009 National Semifinals Lost to Stanford
2008 First Round Defeated Fresno State
2008 Second Round Defeated San Diego
2008 Third Round Defeated USC
2008 Quarterfinals Defeated Duke
2008 National Semifinals Lost to North Carolina
2007 First Round Defeated Cal State Fullerton
2007 Second Round Defeated Oklahoma State
2007 Third Round Defeated Virginia
2007 Quarterfinals Defeated Portland
2007 National Semifinals Lost to USC
*all team stats through 11/2
See All Women’s Soccer Postseason Capsules
