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Unranked women's soccer ties No. 3 Stanford, 1-1

Bruins hang on in overtime for a moral victory

By Hye Kwon

The UCLA women's soccer team got the biggest tie of its season, 1-1, against No. 3 Stanford at North Soccer Field on Saturday.

The first half was a one-sided contest in favor of the Cardinal (13-1-1 overall). They showed off their superior passing game and demonstrated their fast and dangerous attacks. Stanford had numerous chances in front of the UCLA goal and eventually found the net in the 37th minute of the match while the Bruins (10-3-3) were still trying to shake off the butterflies of playing the third-ranked team in the country.

Stanford had another great chance to score when forward Erin Martin took a shot inside the penalty box that hit the goal post. The first half ended at 1-0, which gave hope and confidence to the Bruins.

"Coach (Fawcett) gave the team a pep talk during half-time that fired us up," UCLA forward Traci Arkenberg said. "She said, 'it's only 1-0. We can come back against these guys.'"

Sure enough, Arkenberg scored the equalizer just nine minutes after that pep talk. The goal came as midfielder Mari Meinhart headed the ball from the top of the box to a streaking Arkenberg (12 goals for the season), who always seems to be at the right place at the right time.

"It was a great relief," Arkenberg remarked about the goal. "It was unbelievable."

From that point on, the momentum was shifted toward UCLA, and the Bruins remained in control of the match through the two overtime periods. Goalie Gretchen Overgaard held firm as she made several diving saves. In doing so, she broke the school record of 14 saves in a match, which was set last year.

"I think the team was nervous at the start," UCLA head coach Joy Fawcett said. "But we started playing better as the match grew."

The Bruins did, however, receive a lucky break with just seconds to go in regulation. Stanford apparently scored a goal off a misplayed ball by UCLA defenders, but fortunately for the Bruins, the goal was called back on an offsides call.

In overtime, neither side had many chances to score. As the match ended in a 1-1 tie, a jubilant Bruin team jumped up in joy, while the Cardinal was less than pleased.

"It is disappointing the way we played, but I give credit to UCLA for a tough match," Stanford head coach Ian Sawyers said. "They were double teaming whenever possible and made it tough for our forwards."

UCLA is in good company with teams that were able to manage at least a tie with the Cardinal this season. The only team that won a game against the Cardinal this season was No. 1 North Carolina.

"This ranks as one of the best ties in Bruin women soccer history," Fawcett said.

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