Oct. 24, 2003
TEMPE, Ariz. - In a battle featuring the last two undefeated Pac-10 teams, fourth-ranked UCLA defeated Arizona State, 4-1 Friday evening in a women?s soccer showdown at Drake Stadium in Los Angeles. With the victory, UCLA improves to 11-1-3 overall and 4-0-1 in Pac-10 play. ASU falls to 8-3-3 and 2-1-1 in conference action.
UCLA got on the board just 10 minutes into the match, when Lindsay Greco back-heeled a low line drive sent into the box by Iris Mora. The Bruins would take a 2-0 lead just minutes later when Mora registered a goal of her own at the 15:21 mark. With her back to the goal, Mora received a ball inside the ASU box, made a quick turn and shot it past Sun Devil goalkeeper Kim Bingham.
ASU had a chance to get on the board in the 30th minute of play, as Manya Makoski had a one-on-one with Bruin goalkeeper Arianna Criscione. Makoski beat Criscione but missed the shot wide left.
Following a 2-0 UCLA advantage at the half, ASU cut the lead to 2-1 in the 52nd minute of play when Courtney Crane worked her way into the UCLA box and headed in a cross from Makoski.
The Sun Devils then had a great chance to tie the score at 2-2, but missed an open-goal opportunity for the second time in the match. This time it was Elizabeth Bogus who managed to get free and create a one-on-one opportunity with Criscione. Bogus went around Criscione, but hit the left post on her shot.
From then on out it was all UCLA, as the Bruins got two late goals. In the 82nd minute, Bruin midfielder Whitney Jones received a cross from Sarah-Gayle Swanson and put in a shot near the top of the box. Swanson then capped the scoring for UCLA in the 86th minute on an assist from Mora.
ASU played three goalkeepers Friday, pulling Bingham in the 61st minute in favor of Kelly Fitzgerald. After giving up her second goal, Fitzgerald was replaced by ASU defender Amy LePeilbet for her first ever appearance in goal.
Up next, the Devils continue their stay in Los Angeles as they take on 19th-ranked USC on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (PST).