University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Bruin Players Win Pair of National Titles
July 30, 2016 | Women's Soccer
Seven UCLA soccer players won national titles Saturday night. The Santa Clarita Blue Heat, which boasts six Bruins on the roster, won the inaugural United Women's Soccer (UWS) championship, and SoCal Blues, led by Anika Rodriguez, won the US Youth Soccer National Championship.
Rodriguez's SoCal Blues Dodge team dominated in its championship match, defeating McLean 96 Green, 5-0, for its first national title. Rodriguez scored her third goal of the tournament on a free kick in the second half and earned selection to the Best Eleven team.
The Blue Heat won its title in dramatic fashion, with a bicycle kick goal in the final minute of overtime by UCLA newcomer Julia Hernandez. The Bruin sophomore also netted the team's first goal in the ninth minute on a breakaway off a Kodi Lavrusky assist. Hernandez was named the Championship MVP after the Blue Heat's 2-1 victory over New Jersey Copa FC. Along with Hernandez and Lavrusky, Santa Clarita starters included senior Gabbi Miranda, junior Gabrielle Matulich, and redshirt freshman and UWS West Conference Player of the Year Chloe Castaneda. UCLA junior goalkeeper Siri Ervik was a reserve.
Rodriguez, Hernandez, Miranda, Matulich, Castaneda, and Ervik begin the 2016 season with UCLA on Aug. 13 with an exhibition against BYU at 4pm on North Athletic Field. The Bruins' regular season home opener is Aug. 28 vs. Florida at 3pm at Drake Stadium. Single-game tickets for the 2016 season go on sale Monday, Aug. 1 at 10am at uclabruins.com/tickets.
