Sophomore goalkeeper Wyatt Nelson’s frustration emanated under the flashing lights of College Park when Maryland forward Sadam Masereka rocketed a shot off of his right foot to score the first goal of the match.

But soon enough, that frustration translated into momentum for the Bruin pack.

No. 19 UCLA men’s soccer (6-3-5, 3-2-3, Big Ten) capped off the final match of an East Coast trip with a 1-1 draw against No. 6 Maryland (8-1-5, 5-0-2) on Monday night.

“Our group right now is growing collectively,” said coach Ryan Jorden. “We’re doing things in the game to control the game, with and without the ball, better than we were a couple of weeks ago.”

The first half garnered four opportunities to put the ball into the back of the net – but ultimately, the Bruins did not light up the scoresheet. The last time the Bruins tallied a first-half goal was redshirt senior forward Jose Contell’s on Oct. 4 in a clash against Penn State.

In the first 15 minutes of action, graduate student midfielder Edrey Caceres hit a shot off the bottom left of the goalpost and sophomore forward Jacob Diaz launched one at the top left of the net – only for both to land in the hands of Maryland goalkeeper Laurin Mack.

Just as the first half reached the halfway mark, Masereka began to glide his way through the Bruin defense, opening the opportunity for the Terrapins to take a shot and slide the ball past Nelson’s gates.

In the second half, the Bruins finally put the pieces together.

Fifty-six minutes in, sophomore defender Philip Naef controlled a cross from the left side of the pitch and passed the ball to freshman midfielder Tamir Ratoviz, who struck it off of his left foot and into the bottom right of the goal.

“It’s a very special moment,” Ratoviz said. “Our team did a great job of keeping their heads up, and we just kept working as a team – the moment came, and I executed from a great passion.”

Naef added that the execution and the flow of teamwork contributed to finishing the job.

“I got to give credit to both – to Nico who crossed the ball to me,” Naef said. “I have to give credit to the two of them as well, because it wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Fouls, free kicks, substitutions and shot attempts accumulated in the latter minutes of the second half as both sides pushed to break a 1-1 deadlock. Ultimately, the match drew to an inconclusive end at one goal apiece.

Despite the result, the seeds of depth planted within UCLA’s roster are beginning to grow with and without the ball in possession.

“Our ability to control the game without the ball has grown exponentially,” Jorden said. “The moments where we got in possession with the ball and started to use it well – I thought we were hard to play against – that I was really proud of.”