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Goalie Valerie Henderson and the women’s soccer team will begin their quest to win UCLAR

W. SOCCER Friday, 5:30 p.m. v. UNLV Drake Stadium

When the UCLA women’s soccer team begins NCAA Tournament play this weekend, it will be moving one step closer to claiming the school’s 100th NCAA title.

But don’t tell the Bruins that. All they are focusing on is the task at hand.

“We are definitely taking this one game at a time,” junior goalkeeper Valerie Henderson said. “We are looking at this weekend’s games like any other games, and we need to make sure we get it done.”

The first obstacle the Bruins (17-3) face is playing the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which comes into Drake Stadium tomorrow after capturing the Mountain West Conference title for the second straight year.

Should the Bruins win Friday, they will advance on Sunday to play the winner of the Loyola Marymount-Cal State Fullerton match. UCLA holds a combined record of 20-0 against its three potential opponents this weekend.

UNLV (9-10-3) is coached by former Bruin assistant Katherine Mertz, and UCLA coach Jill Ellis knows that despite the Rebels’ mediocre record, no team will be easy to beat in the postseason.

“Three great teams are coming here this weekend, and they will all be organized and have great spirit,” Ellis said. “This is the playoffs, and every team in the playoffs has their backs against the wall because one loss and you’re out. Each team will come out hard.”

The Bruins realize that overlooking any team could mean the end of their season, and they are completely focused on their present opponents. Even the freshmen know what is necessary to continue playing in their first postseason.

“I’m really excited to start the tournament because this is what you always dream of, but our mentality is that we are only looking ahead to the next game,” freshman Lauren Cheney said. “Winning the 100th championship would be incredible because it is a milestone in UCLA’s history, but nobody is looking that far ahead.

The key to victory for the Bruins this weekend will not just be in preparing well for their opponents, but also in making sure they work together as a team.With the postseason beginning, victories will depend not on the strength of one player, but on how well the Bruins play as a single cohesive unit.

“We are not going to be focusing on the other teams, but on coming together and playing as a team,” Cheney said. “We have to get done what we need to do without looking at who is on the other side of the field.”

A major advantage for UCLA will be playing at home. The Bruins are undefeated at home this season and have won 18 consecutive matches at UCLA, dating back last year.

“It’s really great to be at home because we feel comfortable here,” Henderson said. “As far as we are concerned, we are going to be in control of any game we play.”

With the win-or-go-home situation the Bruins are in, Ellis intends to make sure team members understand the intensity with which they must play.

“Every team is competing for the same thing, so we need to remain focused and enthusiastic if we are going to win,” Ellis said. “Every game is important, and it won’t be difficult for them to not focus on the next games.”