The Bruins’ season-opening road trip was a tale of UCLA firsts, physical play and divergent outcomes.

UCLA men’s soccer (1-1) split two against Virginia Tech (0-2) and James Madison (2-0) at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JMU Invitational, upending the Hokies on Thursday 4-1 and losing a close contest Sunday against the Dukes 1-0.

A harmonious, free-flowing attack was on full display Thursday as three Bruins scored their first goals with the program – three of the four arriving within a five-minute period in the second half.

Among the goal scorers were graduate transfers forward Jack Sarkos and midfielder Ryan Becher from Lehigh and UMBC, respectively. The former notched a brace with back-to-back goals in the 52nd and 55th minutes.

Sarkos said his first Bruin goals resulted from developing the team’s attacking identity and adjusting as a new member to a recent NCAA Tournament team.

“We’ve been through countless practices working out how we’re going to attack offensively, how we’re going to defend,” Sarkos said. “But opening my account as a Bruin – there’s no better feeling.”

Sophomore midfielder Cam Wilkerson also factored into the Bruin scoresheet for the first time in his career, scoring the team’s first goal of the campaign in the 44th minute after 15 goalless appearances in 2022.

UCLA tailed 11 shots on goal against Virginia Tech – a far cry from the three Sunday evening against JMU.

The Bruins were unable to further their offensive success from Thursday’s match. Despite 11 shots and six corner kicks, the Dukes’ defense held them at bay after an increased attack effort following the decisive goal.

Goalkeeper Sam Joseph fended off two goal-scoring opportunities deep into the second half with a double save. However, just two minutes later in the 73rd minute, the sophomore could not keep out JMU forward Balint Kosko’s header – which floated over his outstretched arms and into the net.

Joseph conceded two goals in his first trip as the de facto starting keeper after Nate Crockford transferred to Wisconsin after two years with the program.

Sarkos said Joseph’s efforts kept the offense in Sunday’s game as UCLA looked to even the score toward the end of the match.

“He’s been very huge for us,” Sarkos said. “The game could have looked a whole lot different, but thanks to him, he kept us in the game and made the attacking building up from the back a whole lot easier.”

UCLA committed 14 fouls in Sunday’s match, which sophomore midfielder Tarun Karumanchi said was partially a response to the Dukes’ adjustment to the Bruins’ play style that prioritizes movement over physical play.

“We try to not be in too many collisions on the field, but sometimes that’s the other team’s game plan to throw us off,” Karumanchi said. “I feel like being turned on and ready to go up for that challenge and those physical duels is really important for us moving forward.”

Karunmanchi added that another adjustment the team will have to make heading into its next match will be to find a steady level of concentration between the excitement of Thursday’s win and the feelings that come with Sunday’s loss. He said the group of graduate transfers – Sarkos, Becher, midfielder Sean Karani, defender Owen Schwartz and goalkeeper Noah Sutherland – will help the young Bruin core stay calm to achieve that goal.

Coach Ryan Jorden said despite the loss, the trip was an experience that will help to shape the team heading into the rest of the season.

“It’s been an incredible time for the guys to be together,” Jorden said. “Everybody’s disappointed about the results … but we’ve taken a couple of big steps down the road with regards to just what our identity will be.”