Sanchez to Pursue Professional Soccer Opportunities
January 15, 2020 | Women's Soccer
Junior Ashley Sanchez has announced her departure from UCLA to pursue professional soccer opportunities. Sanchez, a member of the U.S. Women's National Team program, was a 2018 first-team All-American and is UCLA's all-time career assists leader with 42.
"After a lot of thought, prayer, and discussion of my future with my family, I've decided to move on to the professional level," said Sanchez. "It is a difficult decision because of the impact UCLA has had on my career and my life. I'm grateful for my teammates and the bonds that I've made that will last me a lifetime, and I am thankful for my coaches, the athletic and academic departments for all of their help over the past three years in making my time at UCLA so special."
"Ashley is one of the most dynamic players to ever play at UCLA," said UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell. "It's remarkable that she broke our career assists record as a junior. We know Ashley's success as a Bruin will help her in her endeavors as a professional and national team member. We are excited for her future and wish her the best of luck."
Sanchez earned her second call-up to U.S. Women's National Team camp in December after a junior season in which she led UCLA with 15 assists, tying her own school single-season record. Sanchez ranked second on the team in scoring with 29 points and in goals scored with seven. As a sophomore, she led the Bruins in all scoring categories with 10 goals, 15 assists and 35 points while becoming a first-team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. In 2017, she set the school freshman record with 12 assists and ranked third on the team in scoring with 24 points.
During her time at UCLA, Sanchez set or tied seven school records - career assists (42), single-season assists (15 in both 2019 and 2018), single-game assists (four in 2018), consecutive games with a goal or assist (16), assists in an NCAA Tournament (seven in 2018), career NCAA Tournament assists (14) and assists by a freshman (12 in 2017).
