Gonzaga University
UCLA
Zags Play Well Against Another Tough Team In #5 UCLA
9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 13, 2009
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - For the second consecutive match the Gonzaga University women's soccer team proved they could play with one of the nation's top teams but once again saw their effort come up short, suffering a 2-0 defeat at No. 5 ranked UCLA Sunday afternoon.
After playing the University of Southern California tough in a 2-0 loss on Friday the Bulldogs (3-3-0) put together another impressive performance against the nation's fifth ranked team and NCAA College Cup semifinalist from a year ago in the Bruins (4-1-1). Sheridan Jones led the Zags with two of the team's five shots while keeper Jessie Thalman made four saves throughout the afternoon. UCLA, hosting the Zags for their home-opener, picked up scores in the 1:37 mark of the first half and 23 seconds into the second half with both goals coming off the foot of Kristina Larsen.
"I was very proud of how we competed against one of the top teams in the country," stated Gonzaga head coach Amy Edwards. "We were very close on some scoring opportunities but just couldn't finish."
With both teams amped up to start the match the Bruins jumped out to the early lead as Larsen's first score of the match came just minutes in. Larsen received a pass from Zakiya Bywaters and fired shot from outside the 18 that hit high up on the left cross bar and bounced in for the 1-0 UCLA lead. The Bulldogs regained form and played solid soccer for the rest of the period, producing four shots, two on goal and continuing to pressure the Bruins on the offensive end. Two of the Zags best scoring chances came early on has Elle Sweeney's free kick from 25 yards out saw UCLA keeper Chante' Sandiford make a nice save. Midway through the first half Jones had a good look on goal but also saw her long range shot gathered in by Sandiford who made two of her three saves in the first half to keep the Bruin lead at 1-0 at the break.
The second half opened the same way as the opening frame did with the Bruins using an offensive attack just seconds into the period to build a two goal lead. It was Larsen again as she one-timed a shot off of a Lauren Barnes pass that made it past Thalman for the score.
After the score, similar to the play that took place in the first half, the Zags regained their composure and played some of their best soccer of the season against one of the nation's top teams. The Bulldogs later put together some attacks only be turned away by Bruins defense that held off a couple more late Bulldog pushes to hand the Zags the 2-0 defeat.
"Even though we didn't get the win today, I am very happy with how we are playing right now," commented Edwards. "We didn't get the results we would have liked this weekend but we had a lot of players play some very good soccer this weekend. A number of our younger players gained some valuable experience that will help us during West Coast Conference play later in the year. We are looking forward getting back to Spokane and keeping this positive momentum going with our two home matches this week."
Gonzaga returns to Spokane to host Seattle University 3 p.m. Thursday and the University of Idaho 1 p.m. next Sunday.
