This post was updated Oct. 7 at 1:55 a.m.

A sixth-minute goal was all the Bruins needed for the win.

UCLA women’s soccer (10-2-2, 5-0-1 Big Ten) held onto its one-goal lead to beat Washington (6-4-2, 3-3) on Saturday night. Amid Senior Night celebrations, senior defender Quincy McMahon buried a shot from the top of the box to put the Bruins up for good.

“I thought we played well for 20 minutes of the ninety. Thankfully, that was enough. But we just let the chaos of the game set the tone, and then we weren’t really able to play how we would like to play, so that was disappointing,” said coach Margueritte Aozasa. “But credit to the group. I think they found a way to win, and honestly, that’s the most important thing.”

In the sixth minute, McMahon received the ball from junior midfielder Sofia Cook nearly 45 yards out from goal. She then dribbled diagonally toward the left corner of the penalty box where she took a shot back across the goal that sailed into the right side of the net.

Playing the full 90 minutes at forward – contrary to her usual defensive role – McMahon scored the Bruins’ earliest goal in a game this season. She said she knew she was going to shoot as soon as she turned with the ball and faced forward.

“Quincy has been an answer to one of the questions we’ve had, which is where are we going to start producing goals,” Aozasa said. “She obviously is a defender, but she’s a very talented individual. I was super happy for her, and it seemed fitting that a senior score on Senior Night.”

McMahon said with the new position she was playing, she had nerves coming into the game, but scoring on Senior Night gave her confidence.

“I’m just so proud to be a part of this senior group and also proud to be someone who’s able to help and to lead the girls under me,” McMahon said. “So it meant a lot just to be able to help in that way and to have my teammates supporting me and loving on me.”

Senior midfielder Alice Barbieri said McMahon’s goal gave the team an edge, as the team wanted to come out strong.

“Every time you score, it gives you a boost of energy, let alone having it be one of your seniors on senior night is so special,” Barbieri said. “And it coming early, I think that’s just a testament.”

To honor their seniors, the Bruins gave flowers and showcased baby photographs on the big screen at the game.

“They’re the voices on our team. They’re the leadership. They really set the tone for what you’re trying to do,” Aozasa said. “So I was proud of myself for not crying tonight, but I’m sure later, when we honor them at our tailgate, there’ll be some tears.”

The Bruins faced 10 shots from their former Pac-12 opponent, the Huskies, in the first half and an additional five in the second. Only two required saves, with the Bruins’ defenders making blocks.

“I was really proud of the defense. I think games like this, you’re going to get exposed quite a bit individually, because the game is so chaotic,” Aozasa said. “So we typically really pride ourselves on our defensive organization and stuff like that. But against a Washington team that prefers the ball in the air, you’re not necessarily going to see that, and so I was really pleased with the performances.”