UCLA men’s soccer beats UCSB on the road after scoreless ties at home
In the first half of UCLA’s game against UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, senior midfielder Leo Stolz scored a go-ahead goal from the top of the 18-yard box. That goal proved to be the difference in the Bruins’ 1-0 win. (Austin Yu / Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Matt Joye
Sept. 22, 2014 9:44 p.m.
After being shut out in back-to-back games for the first time since 2009, the UCLA men’s soccer offense finally woke up on Saturday.
No. 2 UCLA (4-1-2) didn’t become an offensive powerhouse overnight, but its one goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win on the road against UC Santa Barbara (2-3-1).
After the game, coach Jorge Salcedo said that the offense created good scoring opportunities, but also acknowledged that there were still improvements to be made.
“I thought we had a good game overall – offensively and defensively,” Salcedo said. “(But) am I happy that we’re not scoring more than a goal a game? Absolutely not. And I don’t think the players are satisfied either.”
Considering how well UCLA has been playing on defense, however, one goal may be enough to win games – at least for now. The Bruins notched their third-straight shutout on Saturday, improving their goals-against average to 0.53 per game, which ranks 18th nationally.
Yet as with many standout defenses, UCLA’s has had a few bend-but-don’t-break moments. One of them occurred in the 19th minute on Saturday, when UCSB freshman midfielder Axel Mendez hit a shot that ricocheted off the far right-side post, bouncing right back to him before his second shot was saved by redshirt senior goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr.
“They did have a good chance,” Salcedo said. “Earl made a really good save at the near post. His reaction was big-time. He did really well to get up from the initial shot, to go on and save the second shot from that same player.”
UCLA senior midfielder Leo Stolz had a similar kind of goal-scoring opportunity in the 38th minute, but he would not be denied by UCSB’s goalkeeper. The senior took a shot from atop the 18-yard box that found the back-left corner of the net and proved to be the game-winner.
The Bruins’ victory over the Gauchos improved their road record to 4-0 this season. After another road game at UC San Diego on Friday, UCLA will be looking for its first home win, and also its first home goal on Sunday against Cal State Northridge.
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.
