Matadors take advantage of UCLA’s poor play

Brittni King (Contact)
Published: Monday, October 1, 2007

It is never a good thing when a goalkeeper allows three goals and is still considered the team’s best player of the game.

But that was the case Saturday when the UCLA men’s soccer team played at Cal State Northridge. Goalkeeper Brian Perk had a career-high eight saves, but the Matadors still cruised to a 3-0 victory, tallying a total of 15 shots in their first ever win over the Bruins.

“Perk was one of our best – if not the best – player today,” coach Jorge Salcedo said. “We are thankful that Perk played today. (His performance) was probably the best of the game.”

The Bruins were outshot 15-4 in the loss, which dropped them to 3-4-1 on the season.

Salcedo saw the team’s performance as one of the weakest of the season.

“I think from the get-go we didn’t have the right mentality,” Salcedo said. “(Northridge) started off well with their intensity. (For us) it was a poor performance.”

Coming onto the field, the Bruins did not seem as strong as they have normally been, and the Matadors capitalized on the their mistakes.

During the first half of the game, the Bruins kept Northridge at bay, keeping the score tied at 0-0. But then, UCLA proceeded to be outshot 8 to 1. Perk was especially important in keeping the score close, notching four saves.

After the poor first half, the Bruins seemed eager to come out stronger in the second half and gain some momentum.

“We talked about playing a little faster and having a better approach in the second half,” Salcedo said.

But the Matadors came out stronger, scoring three goals in a 10-minute period halfway through the second half. First, Michael Clegg scored off a pass from Fergie Agwu. Ben Cox netted a header three minutes later. And in the 79th minute, Camilo Rojas put the game out of reach with a shot that slipped passed Perk.

The scoring frenzy put the Bruins out of the game quickly.

“It was obviously against the team’s morale,” Salcedo said. “I think, from the beginning, (our play) wasn’t good.”

The Bruins missed both Jason Leopoldo and Richard Flores against the Matadors on the offensive end of the game. Brandon Owens also was hurt during the game.

The missed players, injury, and the Matadors’ lead meant that the Bruins needed to bring more power to the table.

“You need to play with a little more speed. You need to attack,” Salcedo said.

But the Bruins’ offense was quiet throughout. Midfielders Tony Beltran and Chance Myers recorded UCLA’s only two shots on goal.

“I was hoping we would be able to apply everything we learned from those tough early matches. We didn’t come out and play the way we wanted to,” Salcedo said. “I think you learn more from a loss than a win. It helps us prepare from the beginning.”

The loss leaves the team looking toward the future.

“We’ll be back, and we’ll be prepared for Tuesday night,” Salcedo said.

UCLA plays Tuesday night at Drake Stadium against San Diego (3-4). Last year, the Bruins beat the Toreros 3-1 in their only meeting of the season.