The Bruins have kicked off their season with a three-game winning streak.

In its second away game of the season, UCLA women’s soccer (3-0) defeated Cal Poly (0-2-1) with a second-half goal to clinch a 1-0 victory Thursday night at Spanos Stadium’s Mustang Memorial Field.

Neither side found the back of the net during the first period. Both the Bruins and the Mustangs took multiple shots, but the opening 45 minutes were marked by a series of missed opportunities and strong defensive plays, setting the stage for a decisive second half.

“The theme of today was just playing with personality, playing with character,” said Coach Margueritte Aozasa.

The game’s defining moment came in the 63rd minute, when senior defender Lilly Reale’s shot to the top right corner of the net gave the Bruins the lead.

“There are times where I will see space and take space,” Reale said. “I got into a tackle, but then I got up and saw the ball was still in front of me, so I shot it as hard as I could.”

The Mustang’s best opportunity came in the 89th minute, when a shot from close range threatened to level the score. However, graduate student goalkeeper Ryan Campbell made the crucial save, preserving the Bruin advantage as time wound down.

Throughout the game, UCLA’s offense made 12 shots – six on goal. But a formidable Mustang defense, highlighted by goalkeeper Mackenzie Samuel’s six saves, kept the match close.

Reale was one of four players to play the full 90 minutes, joined by senior defenders Jayden Perry and Quincy McMahon and freshman defender Nicki Fraser.

“Credit to Nicki, because Nicki’s a freshman player, and we asked her to play 90 minutes,” Aozasa said. “Lilly, Jade and Quincy, they are our veterans. And for us, they’re just that veteran leadership that we rely on.”

Aozasa added that veterans like Reale are imperative to the Bruins’ success.

“Once games are on the line, those are the ones that we’re going to rely on, and those are the ones that we know we can trust.”