LOS ANGELES - The No. 12-ranked and defending Pac-10 Champion UCLA women's soccer team opened up the 2002 conference season with a win Friday, defeating No. 5 Cal, 1-0 at Drake Stadium. With the victory, the Bruins improve to 9-2 overall and 1-0 in the Pac-10. The Golden Bears fall to 7-3-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

UCLA scored the game's only goal in the 25th minute of play on a header by Bruin forward Lindsay Greco. Freshman midfielder Jill Oakes sent a ball into the Cal box, prompting Cal goalkeeper Sani Post to come out and get it. Greco, however, was able to redirect it and send in a slow bouncing ball into the empty net.

Cal, which was held to three shots in the match, had its best scoring opportunity with just seconds remaining in the contest. At the 89:20 mark of the second half, a UCLA foul outside the Bruin box awarded Cal a direct free kick from about 19 yards out. Cal forward Laura Schott drove a hard, low ball that actually hit the Bruin post and bounced back into play. Following a melee in front of the UCLA net, the ball was eventually cleared and the Bruins went on to the 1-0 decision.

UCLA returns to action this Sunday and will host No. 2 Stanford at Drake Stadium beginning at 2:00 p.m. That match is part of a double-header with the UCLA men's team, which takes on Fresno State at Drake Stadium beginning at Noon.