Monroe Lifts UCLA, 2-1

UCLA senior midfielder Mary-Frances Monroe, a transfer from Connecticut, admits she “didn’t know anything about the [cross-town] rivalry.”

But she knew enough to catch USC goalie Shaelyn Fernandes off guard and score the game-winning goal in a 2-1 Pacific 10 Conference women’s soccer game Sunday at UCLA’s Drake Stadium.

“I didn’t even think it went in, it was such an awkward shot, I don’t think she even saw it coming because her defenders were in the way,” said Monroe, about her lob shot in the 62nd minute.

The second-ranked Bruins (12-1, 3-0 in conference) held off a strong attack by USC (7-4-1, 2-1) in the final minutes.

“[USC] came out more aggressive in the second half,” UCLA Coach Jillian Ellis said. “They were sending four forwards up the last 10 minutes and had our backline scrambling.”

USC forward Brittany Savelkoul had two great scoring chances from close range in the final minute, but goalie CiCi Peterson made the stops.

Savelkoul scored in the fifth minute, beating Peterson on a breakaway for a 1-0 lead.

UCLA answered eight minutes later when forward Staci Duncan kicked a loose ball over Fernandes.

“We started out very slow, we’re lucky we [allowed] only one goal,” Coach Jim Millinder said.

“I thought we had some late chances.”

It didn’t help that Shannon Cross, one of USC’s top scorers, left in the eighth minute with a knee injury. She will have X-rays today.