Men’s soccer strives to replicate success from previous test against UNC

With finals week approaching at UCLA, the men’s soccer team is set to face one of the nation’s most difficult tests.

The Bruin defense has already gotten its toughest assignment out of the way in the third round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday, holding the nation’s No. 1 offense from Cal slightly below its season average in a 3-2 victory.

Now, the Bruin defensive unit must face the nation’s second-toughest test in the Elite Eight: the North Carolina Tar Heels.

It’s a test that UCLA has taken before and prepared for extensively.

“We watched a lot of video on (the Tar Heels), and we basically knew that the strength of their team came from their front-three runners,” said redshirt senior forward Andrew Tusaazemajja.

After putting in the necessary studies, UCLA not only passed its first test from UNC, but did so with flying colors. The Bruins finished in the top percentile, becoming the first of only three teams to shut out the Tar Heels (15-5-1) all year.

With the second test from UNC coming this Saturday, UCLA (13-4-4) is trying to repeat the same process that worked for the team the last time around: Watch the tape, and prepare accordingly for the toughest problems.

“Ever since we knew that we could play (UNC) last Sunday, (I) saw their game against Clemson, (I’ve) seen their game now probably three times in total, watched other games, saw their game against Virginia,” said coach Jorge Salcedo.

Salcedo added that he will not deliver his scouting report presentation to his players until Friday, but briefly discussed his lesson plan. He said that a focal point of the Carolina review session will be discussing how to solve the three biggest problems that the Tar Heels present on the pitch: senior attackers Andy Craven, Tyler Engel and Rob Lovejoy.

“(Those) three are their main guys in the attack,” Salcedo said. “So we have a game plan to stymie what they do well.”

Though the film session on Friday will provide the players with some refreshers, certain notes from the Bruins’ initial study session prior to the Aug. 31 matchup still resonate.

“They had some pace. … To slow them down, we’ve got to just get tight on them, make them face their own goal,” Tusaazemajja said. “As long as we don’t have them charging toward us. … I think we’re fine.”

The test against North Carolina will not be taken by UCLA’s defense alone, however. If the Tar Heels get anywhere close to their average of 2.33 goals per game, the Bruins’ offense will need to step up.

At Thursday’s practice, the team practiced on a four-goal field in which the point of attack was constantly changing, yet constantly present. It also forced the Bruins to adjust to playing a fast game, which they may encounter against the fast-paced Tar Heels.

“Having the four-goal game, it’s just a way for us to open up our play as fast as we possibly can,” said senior defender Aaron Simmons.

Having repeated past preparation procedures and accounting for some new changes, the Bruins seem ready for the test that could earn them a College Cup appearance.

But if there’s one more thing that a test-taker needs, it’s confidence. Junior midfielder Jordan Vale said the Bruins have just that.

“We’re starting to get (together) as a whole team,” Vale said after Sunday’s’s victory over Cal. “I think we’re on a roll right now. … I think we’re confident.”