After a summer spent burying goals for the Orange County Blue Star of the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League, Chandler Hoffman is ready to do the same for the UCLA Bruins.

Hoffman lit up the USL’s PDL this summer with 13 goals and 10 assists, numbers good enough to earn him a spot on the All-League team, as well as an MVP finalist nod.

“This summer gave me a lot of confidence heading into the fall season,” Hoffman said. “It is always good to consistently find the back of the net and create goal dangerous plays. I think this summer really helped me grow in my ability to not only finish plays but also put my teammates in good spots to score goals.”

One of the teammates Hoffman consistently connected with this summer will be with him on the field this fall for the Bruins as well. Redshirt junior striker Fernando Monge played with Hoffman on the Blue Stars and finished with nine goals. The duo also assisted each other on three goals apiece.

“The connection we established this summer I think will definitely pay dividends this fall as we both have a very good understanding of where we want the ball and how we move for each other in order to open up defenses and create goal scoring opportunities for each other,” Hoffman said.

Monge and Hoffman are just two dangerous strikers in a fleet of talented forwards and midfielders, including early Hermann Trophy candidate Kelyn Rowe, The Bruins return all 11 starters, and posses talent on the bench, making for a mind-blowingly deep and powerful squad.

“The guys who come in off the bench will play a huge role for our team and I believe will really help change games. I think this competition for spots will ultimately raise the team level of play and will help us contend for the national title.”

Hoffman and the Bruins open their 2011 season at the same place they ended their 2010 campaign, at Cardinal Park in Louisville, Kentucky. Last December, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament, the Bruins and Cardinals played to a crazy 5-4 finish that saw the Cardinals score a 90^th minute goal to abruptly end the Bruins season. This time around, the Bruins are not only looking to get a good start to their season, but exact some revenge and some unfinished business.

“I think it will be an incredible atmosphere if it is anything like the play-off games last fall,” said Hoffman. “I know all the guys on the team have been longing to get back on the field for UCLA since we lost there last year. Nights like these are truly special and we look forward to playing the game against a very good Louisville team and there would be no sweeter revenge than flipping the script of what happened the last time we played them.”

By just making it to the start of the season signals an accomplishment for Hoffman, who broke his leg on the first day of training last season and missed 11 games for the Bruins. He made his return on October 15 in a 2-1 loss to Stanford, and went on to score six goals in the team’s last 11 games.
“I think my broken leg was a true eye-opener for me in terms of appreciating the game. It helped me realize that every chance I get to play is a blessing.”

by Maura Gladys