Friday, March 29, 2024

AdvertiseDonateSubmit
NewsSportsArtsOpinionThe QuadPhotoVideoIllustrationsCartoonsGraphicsThe StackPRIMEEnterpriseInteractivesPodcastsBruinwalkClassifieds

UCLA men’s soccer scores 2nd ranked victory in match against Loyola Marymount

Freshman forward Aaron Edwards scored the first and second goals of his collegiate career for UCLA men’s soccer in a 2-1 win over No. 14 Loyola Marymount on Thursday evening despite visibly limping throughout the game. (Vivian Xu/Daily Bruin senior staff)

Men's Soccer


No. 14 Loyola Marymount1
UCLA2

By Lexi Grimes

Oct. 15, 2021 3:32 p.m.

This post was updated Oct. 18 at 1:12 a.m.

The Bruins are ending their nonconference schedule with their highest-ranked win this season.

UCLA men’s soccer (8-4-0, 3-2-0 Pac-12) hosted No. 14 Loyola Marymount (9-2-1, 1-1-0 WWC) on Thursday night at Wallis Annenberg Stadium, securing a 2-1 victory. The win marked the third time the Bruins faced a ranked opponent this season, previously defeating then-No. 23 Stanford before taking a loss to then-No. 2 Washington.

Both the Bruins and the Lions got off to a slow start offensively, with the first shot in the game coming in the 15th minute by redshirt freshman midfielder Tucker Lepley. LMU committed three early fouls that led to free kicks for UCLA, but the Bruins could not convert those opportunities into goals.

In the 31st minute, Lions forward Duhaney Williams was able to slip the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Kirberg, who was starting his first game of the season in place of senior goalkeeper Justin Garces. Coach Ryan Jorden said despite Kirberg’s inexperience in goal, the team was confident in its defensive ability.

“We’ve got a great goalkeeping group,” Jorden said. “Our three goalkeepers are fantastic, and so we felt very confident that we would have the ability to be very solid in goal with Justin not in there tonight.”

By the time the first half of the game ended, LMU had recorded two shots, one of which was the goal from Williams. In comparison, UCLA recorded eight shots in the first half, but none of them found the back of the net.

Despite not scoring in the first 45 minutes, Lepley said the number of opportunities the team was getting was still positive.

“If you don’t shoot, you don’t score,” Lepley said. “So hopefully next game, a couple that we did take that were close, they find the back of the net next time.”

The Bruins were able to get on the board in the 69th minute when a pass from Lepley found freshman forward Aaron Edwards, who took advantage of the assist to score his first collegiate goal.

Later in the game, Lepley and Edwards were able to connect again. In the 82nd minute, UCLA received a corner kick and Edwards headed in a corner kick from Lepley, recording his second career goal less than 15 minutes after his first.

Edwards said scoring his first goals in Wallis Annenberg Stadium was an incredible experience.

“To have it at home and hear the fans after, it’s amazing,” Edwards said. “To get two of them in the same day is just even better and a great way to start my collegiate scoring career.”

(Vivian Xu/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Sophomore defender Tommy Silva (left) and freshman forward Aaron Edwards (middle) tied for the team-lead with three shots on the night. All three of Edwards’ shots were on goal, connecting on two scores. (Vivian Xu/Daily Bruin senior staff)

Lepley, who scored a golden goal to push UCLA past San Diego State on Oct. 8, said while it is exciting to be in the spotlight as an individual, the team victories are the most important part of the game.

“I could be just as happy scoring zero goals and zero assists and them having all the glory,” Lepley said. “We’re a special group and when somebody scores we all score. So whether it’s me or somebody else, it’s always a good time when somebody scores.”

This win against LMU marks the first time this season that UCLA has won a game after conceding the first goal.

UCLA is currently ranked third in the Pac-12 and is one point behind second-place Oregon State. Lepley said while the team is happy with the win over the Lions, its focus is now shifting back to conference play and winning the Pac-12.

“It’s a good win against a ranked opponent,” Lepley said. “But we want to win the Pac-12 and to do that you have to go to the hard places and win.”

Share this story:FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Lexi Grimes | Sports reporter
Grimes is currently a Sports reporter on the men's soccer beat. She was previously a contributor on the beach volleyball, men's soccer and women's volleyball beats.
Grimes is currently a Sports reporter on the men's soccer beat. She was previously a contributor on the beach volleyball, men's soccer and women's volleyball beats.
COMMENTS
Featured Classifieds
More classifieds »
Related Posts