UCLA Women’s Soccer Hosts Stanford in a Top 10 Showdown

Number 10 UCLA will host number 1 Stanford in a game that is sure to be a treat for viewers Sunday afternoon. Stanford comes into the game looking for a win after suffering their first loss of their season to Southern Cal. The loss was unexpected, to say the least. UCLA was handed their first draw of their season by UC Berkeley. The Golden Bears took the lead early in the game and had UCLA fighting for the equalizer. A late goal in the 89th minute by Courtney Proctor sent the game into overtime. After 20 minutes of OT and no goals from either side, UCLA and UC Berkeley took home the draw.

Going into the game, the Bruins face difficulty against a Stanford team that up until now, has only lost one game all season. Though the Bruins have an impressive 9-2-1 record over their first 12 games, the team does not look like the 2013 team who won a national title. That is a good thing seeing as they should mold into their own team, but their struggles showed in the game against UC Berkeley and can against Stanford. The defense has been shaky at times relying on goalkeeper Teagan Micah to make crucial saves. Micah has recorded six clean sheets and considering the inconsistency in her backline, the numbers are remarkable. Their offense is one of their strong points. Once one player scores, the floodgates open and it leads to more goals. This has been the case in multiple games where the win comes in the form of multiple goals. However, as they get a goal, the defense lets in one as well. It is as if the defense cannot handle a counterattack well. That leaves the offense to work twice as hard to strengthen the lead.

Against a team such as Stanford, their usual game is not going to work. They are one of, if not the most, stingiest defenses in the conference. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell will also make her return after sitting out the last game due to a red card in the previous game. Campbell has grown to become a great goalkeeper in her own right. The UCLA attack will have their work cut out for them getting past the defense and Campbell. They were almost shut out against UC Berkeley and there is no doubt the same can happen with Stanford. The defense will be on their toes all game. This game more than ever, the entire team needs to be consistent overall. A lopsided game can potentially cost them their hopes of a second national title.

Today’s Game

#10 UCLA Women's Soccer (9-2-1, 3-0-1)

Opponent: Stanford Cardinal (10-1-1, 3-1-0)

When: 1 PM PT, Sunday, October 9, 2016

Where: Drake Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

TV: None

Live Stream: UCLA Live Stream, Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now App

Audio: None

Live Stats: UCLA Bruins Game Tracker

Official Game Preview

Go Bruins!!!