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Freshmen are supposed to live in fear of their senior counterparts. They are tolerated, but not liked.

Though maybe the norm, this scenario is certainly not the case on the UCLA women’s soccer team. The Bruin freshmen, who comprise the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class, are not only talented young women capable of making an immediate impact on the field, they are an integral part of the team’s national title hopes.

Even on a team returning nine of its 11 starters, three freshmen have a chance to contribute immediately. They are, according to head coach Jillian Ellis, forward Bristyn Davis, midfielder Stephanie Kron and defender Mary Castelanelli. All have international experience on the Under-19 U.S. team.

“They’ve come in to practices and they’ve stepped right in to the speed of play and the physical nature,” Ellis said. “They’re players that are probably ready and we’re looking for them to step in right away.”

Davis, arguably the most prized recruit of the bunch, journeyed to Westwood from Locust Valley, N.Y. The decision to make the cross-country move, however, wasn’t entirely her own, as there was already another Davis playing soccer at UCLA.

Bristyn’s brother, Chadd, won a national championship with the men’s soccer team last year.

“He said, ‘UCLA’s the best school, there’s no place better,’” Davis said.

Not a bad recruiting ploy.

And not a bad recruiting prize.

Davis was named National Player of the Year by Student Sports Magazine after scoring 32 goals her senior season. Her high school, St. Anthony’s, won the state title and finished the season ranked No. 5 nationally.

This last summer, Davis helped the Under-21 U.S. National Team win its fifth straight Nordic Cup title. She was called up to the U-21 team after a four-goal showing against Canada as a member of the Under-19 U.S. National Team.

In three high school seasons, Davis scored an astonishing 76 goals.

“Bristyn finds a way to score goals,” Ellis said. “She’s not the most technical player, but she breaks down defenses, gets in behind defenses, and is opportunistic when she shoots. She’s a goal scorer.”

Kron, the nation’s No. 14 recruit according to Soccer America, has a legitimate shot to start in a very competitive Bruin midfield. She was a first-team Parade All-American, an NSCAA/adidas All-American, and a McDonald’s All-American in 2003.

“Watching UCLA through the tournament last year, and just knowing that coming here I could make a contribution and just help out is good enough,” Kron said.

Castelanelli, a defender, was also a decorated high school star. She was Soccer America’s No. 16 recruit, a Parade All-American and an NSCAA/adidas All-American in 2003. She also has extensive U-19 experience.

Probably most impressive about this freshman class is not the accolades with which it enters college, but rather the immediate impression it has made on the upperclassmen.

“(This class) is huge,” senior Nandi Pryce said. “Their work rate and their attitude brings a spark. They’re young, and they haven’t been here that long, so they’re supposed to be scared of the seniors, but that stuff doesn’t matter anymore. We just want to come together as a team.”

Aside from the three freshmen who may contribute immediately, this incoming class has other talented players who will undoubtedly contribute down the road.

Forward Christina Eskridge, midfielder Caitlin Ursini, goalkeeper Arianna Criscione, and defenders Michelle Gleason and Jessica Harris make up the rest of UCLA’s talented freshman class.

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