UCI’s Ledezma, Bruce honored in women’s soccer

UC Irvine seniors Natalia Ledezma and Jordan Bruce have been named Big West Conference offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, in women’s soccer.

Ledezma scored the game-winner in a 1-0 upset of then-No. 6-ranked BYU on Saturday, marking the highest-ranked opponent UCI has ever defeated.

Ledezma leads the team in scoring with three goals and one assist and she has 18 goals and 15 assists as an Anteater, since transferring from UCLA following the 2010 season.

It was only the second home loss in its last 19 matches for BYU, which has lost just twice in the last two seasons.

Bruce’s work on the back line helped UCI hold BYU to eight shots, just three of those on goal. The Cougars came in averaging 18 shots per game, and 10 shots on goal per contest.

UCI’s third straight road victory pushed its record to 4-3.

It is the fourth time Ledezma, a first-team all-conference choice the last two seasons, has earned this Big West honor.

— From staff reports