This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for us after losing four starters, three of them All-Americans, to graduation, having two other starters leaving the team this season to play on the U.S. Under-19 National Team, and having two incoming freshmen both go down with season-ending knee injuries before the season started.
We were not expected to be able to compete, period. We've already wildly exceeded this season's expectations, given what Coach Ellis had to work with at the start of the season. Simply amazing. That we are now back in the Final Four is not what anyone was thinking at the beginning of this season.
But believe it or not, after beating Ohio State at their place for their first loss at home this season, UCLA is back in the Final Four! We'll face Princeton next Friday, December 3rd, in Cary, North Carolina. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 at either 11am or 1:30pm PST.
The wind played a factor in today's match. In the first half, with the wind in Ohio State's favor, the teams played about even. In the second half, with the wind on our side, UCLA clearly dominated the action, forcing OSU out of any rhythm they were hoping to establish. Finally OSU's Emily Francis got frustrated and took a cheap shot at our Danesha Adams on her way to scoring a goal, taking her down. Francis got the red card and was ejected. On the ensuing penalty kick, Caitlin Ursini knocked it right into the corner for her first goal of the season!
The rest of the game was more or less keep-away for us. Onto the College Cup!!!
GO BRUINS!!!