UCLA men’s soccer team secures shutout win over San Diego State with last-minute goal
By Amy Le
Oct. 11, 2010 1:12 a.m.
Heading into Saturday night’s match against San Diego State, the UCLA men’s soccer team was unquestionably aware of its opponent’s explosive offense.
But the No. 16 Bruins (8-2-1, 3-0 Pac-10) didn’t let that intimidate them, as they held the No. 21 Aztecs (7-3-1, 1-2) scoreless in a 1-0 victory at Drake Stadium.
Freshman midfielder Kelyn Rowe scored the game-winner in the 78th minute, his fourth goal of the season. “It’s a great feeling,” he said. “Getting the only goal is always great; you’re the player that puts it away ““ I can’t really describe it.”
Despite boasting one of the Pac-10’s leading scorers in senior forward Raymundo Reza, San Diego State was shut out for only the second time this year. Coming into the match, the Aztecs were averaging more than two goals a game.
But the Bruins refused to let Reza’s scoring prowess faze them, and the defensive line succeeded in containing him for the full 90 minutes. “We worry more about what we need to do as a team,” coach Jorge Salcedo said. “Obviously, Reza is a good attacking player, and I thought our guys did a good job defending. We did what we needed to.”
Both sides were held scoreless in the first half, with the Aztecs out-shooting the Bruins six to four. There were a handful of missed opportunities on goal for the home team. UCLA came dangerously close to finding the back of the net in the 44th minute with a shot on goal by sophomore midfielder Ryan Hollingshead, one of six total attempts for the game.
“We made it a little more difficult on ourselves because in the first half, I thought we could’ve scored a goal or two,” Salcedo said.
The Aztecs would have their fair share of chances in the second half, with several shots that were saved in dramatic fashion by redshirt junior goalkeeper Brian Rowe. Reza blasted a shot on goal in the 75th minute that resulted in a diving save by Rowe, sending the crowd into a frenzy over his acrobatic leap.
“We always focus on getting that shutout, keeping it strong in the back and it was a great plus for us to battle throughout the game to get that goal late on in the game and hold them off for a win,” he said.
Improving their composure after halftime, the Bruins finally capitalized on a scoring chance when freshman forward Zack Foxhoven weaved in and out of an array of Aztec defenders down the left side before sending a pass to Kelyn Rowe across the field. From the top of the box, the Bruin midfielder blasted a shot that slid past Aztec redshirt senior goalkeeper Brad Byrns for the only goal of the game.
“It was a great goal, a really good pass from Zack Foxhoven,” Salcedo said. “He timed his pass perfectly, and the touch from Kelyn, his finish was tremendous. For him to take the touch that he did in the box and hit the ball in the back post was great.”
Equally pleased with his performance, Kelyn Rowe said the team had been working all week on possessing the ball and attacking with force. He personally had focused on the execution of his shots. “Zack worked really hard to get that ball in a good position and got his defender committed, and passed me the ball,” Rowe said. “I’ve definitely been working on my finishing and it definitely showed in that goal today.”
Even more encouraging is the recent play of the team’s defensive unit, which has allowed only one goal over the past three games.
“There’s definitely been a big difference from the beginning of the season, when we were just starting to get positions out,” Brian Rowe said. “Now we have a solid starting lineup in the back, so I’m feeling very comfortable with them, and they’re doing a great job.”
The Bruins are now on a four-game winning streak and remain undefeated in conference play.
“I think we did the job we were supposed to,” Salcedo said. “Winning your home games in the Pac-10 is important. At the end of the day, in three games, we only allowed one goal and scored six. I’m happy that we got the results we needed.”
