Mallory Pugh, nation's No. 1 women's soccer recruit, signs with UCLA

One of the nation's top women's soccer programs keeps finding ways to get stronger.

The UCLA Bruins made waves during Wednesday's National Signing Day when they inked Mallory Pugh, the nation's No. 1 recruit, to a letter of intent.

Pugh, a Highlands Ranch, Colorado native, will arrive in Westwood this fall with plenty of experience under her belt. The 2014-15 Gatorade National Player of the Year already is competing for the U.S. Women's National Team as they try to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Last month, she became the sixth-youngest player to score a goal for the national team when she netted one against Ireland on Jan. 23.

Called the "best youth soccer player in the United States" by Bruins head coach Amanda Cromwell, Pugh earned the Golden Boot award at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championships.

"She changes games in a moment with a quick, decisive dribble," Cromwell said. "She is the player that other coaches stay up at night trying to figure out how to contain."