UC Irvine duo Laura McGrail and Jordan Bruce earned the Big West Women’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week awards as their performances helped the team clinch a spot in the upcoming conference tournament.
McGrail Notches Goal In Pair Of UC Irvine Road Wins
Junior Laura McGrail (Alta Loma, Calif./Los Osos HS) turned in identical, goal-scoring performances to help UC Irvine win twice on the road, as she captured Big West Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The matching 2-1 victories at Hawai‘i and Cal State Northridge ensured a Big West Tournament berth for the Anteaters with a total of 15 points (5-2-0). McGrail was an offensive stalwart in both wins, producing four shots in each game to go along with her sixth and seventh goals of the season.
Mc Grail leads the team in goals and points (17) while tying for top honors in assists (3).
The forward got UCI off to a strong start against the Rainbow Wahine with a strike in the third minute. She deposited a swinging, twisting ball in the box past the UH goalkeeper for an early 1-0 UCI lead.
In Sunday’s triumph over the Matadors, McGrail compiled another first half goal as she took Jenna Pellegrino’s corner kick and booted a shot into the upper right corner of the goal.
UCI remains in contention for the No. 1 seed in the league tournament with one game left to play.
Others nominated: Elise Krieghoff (Cal Poly); Erica Mazeau (Cal State Fullerton)
Bruce Spearheads Strong Defensive Effort
Senior Jordan Bruce (San Diego, Calif./Westview HS) led the UC Irvine defense in a pair of 2-1 road victories and the garnered Big West Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week award in the process.
The leader of the back line, Bruce helped UCI own a 24-13 combined shot advantage over its two opponents as the program reached double-digit wins for the fourth time in the last five seasons. She helped limit the Rainbow Wahine to just one shot on goal, an attempt UH capitalized on thanks to a mishandled ball by the UCI keeper.
Bruce also contributed on offense with an assist on UCI’s first goal, her third helper of the season that ties her for the team lead.
Bruce and the pack of UCI defenders also limited the Matador offense for most of the 90-minute contest with the exception of a game-tying goal in the 85th minute.
Others nominated: Cristina Farrington (Cal Poly); Lindsey Maricic (Cal State Fullerton)