The University of California, Los Angeles Bruins women’s soccer team enters the 2026 Big Ten Tournament as the No. 2 seed with a 12-4-2 overall record and a 9-2-1 mark in conference play. The Bruins will face the No. 7 seed Wisconsin Badgers, who hold a 10-4-4 overall record and 6-3-3 in Big Ten matches, on Wednesday, November 4, at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
A victory for UCLA would advance the Bruins to the semifinals on Sunday, November 8, against the winner of the quarterfinal match between Purdue and Penn State. UCLA holds a 6-1-1 lead in the all-time series with Wisconsin, with Wisconsin securing their first win over the Bruins in 2025. This upcoming game will be their first meeting at a neutral site.
Team captain and defender Paloma Daubert leads UCLA’s defense, having played every minute this season and earned four Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week awards, the most ever for a non-goalkeeper. On offense, junior forward Kara Croone leads with eight goals and 17 points, while sophomore midfielder Grace Shank contributes seven assists and ranks fourth in the Big Ten in that category.
The Bruins are the defending Big Ten Tournament champions from 2024, having won the title at Energizer Park without conceding a goal and scoring eight total goals in three matches, including five in the championship game against Rutgers. UCLA ranks second in the conference with only seven goals allowed in Big Ten play and maintains a 0.58 goals-against average. The team has utilized strong goalkeeper depth this season, with shutouts recorded by Daphne Nakfoor, Mariangela Medina, and Lynette Bryant.
CSB Take
The University of California, Los Angeles Bruins women’s soccer team starts the 2026 Big Ten Tournament with a winning pedigree and balanced team strength. Led by captain Paloma Daubert’s steadfast defense and supported by an effective offense, UCLA’s prior success at Energizer Park showcases their comfort at this venue. Their defensive consistency and depth in goalkeepers provide an advantage that could be pivotal in tournament play. The opening match against Wisconsin will test their ability to advance and defend their conference championship, setting the stage for their postseason aspirations.
Source: Original report
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