Seniors play well in 2-1 game against Cal Poly SLO
By Blair Angulo
Nov. 11, 2008 9:01 p.m.
The scenario played itself out perfectly.
With the UCLA men’s soccer team leading Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 1-0 in the second half of Saturday night’s match at Drake Stadium, senior forward Maxwell Griffin was doing everything in his power to add to the Bruin lead. His shot in the 65th minute glanced off the right goal post. Just three minutes later, his shot from the right side made the left post ring in a resonating thud.
Despite the hard luck, Griffin remained resilient in search of the team’s second goal, finally breaking through in the 69th minute. On the play, Griffin one-timed a crossing pass from senior midfielder Jason Leopoldo in front of the net to give the Bruins the two-goal advantage.
It was a special moment for Griffin, who, along with three other seniors, had been honored in a ceremony before the game.
“The years have gone by so fast,” Griffin said. “I can’t even believe it’s my senior year. I remember being out here for my brother’s senior year. It’s crazy for me to come out here and score in front of my parents.”
Griffin admitted that he played with a bit more enthusiasm knowing he had people close to him watching from the stands.
“I always try my hardest, but having my parents and all my friends out here gave me a little bit more drive out on the field,” he said.
Leopoldo also reminisced about his four years as a Bruin.
“Time flies,” Leopoldo said. “I remember my freshman year here, and I couldn’t believe people were graduating. (Saturday) was our last regular season home game, and we wanted to end it on a good note.”
INTENSITY REMAINS HIGH: Even after clinching the Pac-10 Championship and earning an NCAA Tournament berth, the Bruins maintained a high level of aggression. UCLA and Cal Poly SLO played a physical game, combining for 21 fouls. Junior forward David Estrada and freshman defender Chris Cummings received cautionary yellow cards for sliding tackles.
The hustle “shows that we still have the fight in us,” Griffin said. “It’s great that we won the Pac-10 (Championship), but now we have to keep taking each game by stride.”
UCLA has aspirations of playing at Drake Stadium, where the Bruins are 6-1-4 this season, in the early rounds of the postseason.
“We still have a lot to play for,” Leopoldo said. “We want a good seed and a couple of home games so we don’t have to travel and play away.”
STREAK ENDS: Heading into the 89th minute of the contest, the Bruin defense had not allowed a goal in 664 consecutive minutes. The scoreless streak came to an end once Cal Poly SLO’s David Zamora sent a penalty kick past junior goalkeeper Brian Perk’s diving attempt. Though the team was still leading and only a minute away from extending its unbeaten streak to seven matches, some members of the Bruin backfield were visibly upset.
“It’s good that we’re mad about it,” senior defender Brad Rusin said. “It shows that we care about not giving up goals. After six straight shutouts, you give up one goal late in the game like that. It hurts, but we got the win, so we’ll take it.”
