UCLA
Canada FISU (Exhibition)
UCLA Hosts Pair of Weekend Soccer Exhibitions
August 10, 2017 | Women's Soccer
The preseason No. 9 UCLA women's soccer team will kick off the 2017 season with a pair of exhibition games this weekend. The Bruins will host Canada FISU on Friday, Aug. 11 at Drake Stadium at 5pm before welcoming CSU Bakersfield on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 6pm, also at Drake Stadium. Admission is free for both games.
The Bruins return nine starters from a 2016 squad that advanced to the NCAA Round of 16, including All-American midfielder and top scorer Jessie Fleming (11g, 27pts.). Fleming and seniors Zoey Goralski and Claire Winter will serve as team co-captains this season. UCLA also returns Pac-12 honorees Anika Rodriguez (second-team All-Pac-12), Hailie Mace (honorable mention All-Pac-12) and Kaiya McCullough (all-freshman). The Bruins bring in the nation's No. 2 recruiting class, led by No. 1 recruit Ashley Sanchez, as well as the nation's No. 2 recruit in 2016, Marley Canales, who deferred enrollment to play at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
The Bruins are led by head coach Amanda Cromwell, who has compiled a 66-17-8 record in four seasons in Westwood and a 20-year overall coaching record of 289-115-35. Cromwell has led UCLA to the 2013 NCAA title, the first ever for the Bruins, and to two Pac-12 championships (2013 and 2014).
Canada FISU consists of collegiate players from Canada who will be representing their nation at the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei City later this month. CSU Bakersfield went 8-10-2 a year ago and finished second in the WAC.
The Bruins' season opener is Friday, Aug. 18 vs. San Diego State at Drake Stadium at 7 pm. Tickets for the regular season are on sale now at uclabruins.com/tickets.
