Bruin Bites - Women's and Men's Soccer, Novikov Turns Pro, and The Fundraising Dollars Were Rolling In

I hope you all enjoyed your final weekend before football starts up again.  I'm sure it was all tempered with a bit of indigestion as you discovered our dear leader once again cannot figure out how to speak without sounding like a total buffoon and completely destroyed the lasting brand of UCLA Athletics - basketball.  Pathetic.

When he's busy not destroying UCLA Athletics, the other sports that rely on the brands that he has to try to keep solvent started their seasons over the weekend.

• Women's Soccer started their season Friday with a 4-0 win over Northeastern, kicking off coverage on the Pac-12 Networks (and if you get a chance to watch, do so, it's great that all sports get more coverage this year on the Network that not everyone can get.)  Freshman Gabbi Miranda opened the scoring for the Bruins, scoring from the corner (yes, she bent the ball in from the corner kick) at the 2:42 mark and the Bruins did not look back.  Rosie White contributed with a goal 5 minutes later and the rout was on.
• on Sunday, Women's Soccer continued their winning ways with a 3-0 win over CSUN.  All three goals were scored in the first half, with Jenna Richmond opening the scoring early with a goal at 2:15 mark.  Darian Jenkins scored her second goal of the year at 14:01 and the Bruins did not look back, and pressured the entire game that was also aired on the Networks.  UCLA travels this weekend to Notre Dame to face Marquette and Notre Dame in the adidas invitational.
• The USA Women's Water Polo Junior National Team won gold over the weekend in Greece, with a 9-7 win over Spain.  Junior Rachel Fattal was named Tournament MVP, and she was one of five Bruins on the team that led the US to the gold.  Junior Emily Donohoe also scored twice in the gold medal game.
• Men's soccer kicked off their season with an exhibition match win over Ventura County, 4-0.  Senior Joe Sofia started the scoring for the Bruins in the 18th minute, and Victor Munoz added the second goal in the 32nd minute.  Ventura County didn't put up much of a fight, as they only had three shots on goal.  The Bruins open their season this Friday against Notre Dame in the adidas invitational, and then Indiana on Sunday.
• In case you missed it, Dennis Novikov has decided to turn pro and forgo his remaining two years of eligibility.  UCLA's number 1 player this past season, Novikov helped lead the Bruins to the NCAA final this past spring.  Novikov didn't qualify for the US Open, losing his first match, but catch him on the ATP tour this year.
• Campus is rolling in the fundraising dollars, with $512 million in pledges and gifts this year, breaking the previous high of $509 million back in 2001-2002.  This was spurred on by David Geffen's $100 million pledge to the School of Medicine, so Gene Block probably only saw those dollars and danced while ignoring the rest of his campus.

Enjoy the run-up to Nevada everyone.  Unlike some at UCLA, we like holding our team up to high standards, because they should achieve them.

GO BRUINS.