Almost exactly a year ago UCLA men’s soccer (7-5-6, 3-4-3 Big Ten) was upset by Loyola Marymount by a score of 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA tournament at home. On Thursday, the Bruins journey for redemption begins with a matchup against UC Santa Barbara in the first round of the NCAA tournament. After a season where most thought the Bruins didn’t have the record to justify an at-large bid to the tournament, they will enter with a chip on their shoulder following an early exit last season and a plethora of upsets this season.

Connor Dullinger
Assistant Sports editor
Prediction: Loss in semifinals

Call me crazy.

I know this team has proven time and again that they may be the most inconsistent team in the country.

But UCLA men’s soccer has also shown on multiple occasions that it can go toe-to-toe with any team in the country – evidenced by its 2-1 victory over then-No. 2 Ohio State, the Buckeyes first and only loss of 2024.

The Bruins have one of the deepest teams in the country, filled with veteran and newcomer talent. Graduate student midfielder Edrey Caceres leads the team in points with six goals and two assists while freshman duo midfielder Tamir Ratoviz and defender Philip Naef have combined for three goals and 15 assists this season.

In the Big Ten quarterfinal, No. 6 seed UCLA handed No. 3 seed Maryland its biggest loss by score deficit in over 40 years. And in the semifinal, against No. 7 seed Michigan, it took penalty kicks to keep UCLA away from its first Big Ten championship.

The Bruins have played their fair share of quality opponents, facing 10 ranked foes this season, where they have logged four wins, four ties and two losses across these contests.

While UCLA has shown its ugly side more than once, it has also shown that it can go the distance and surprise higher-ranked opponents.

And I’m confident that the Bruins will show their best come Thursday and beyond.

If not, I already told you to call me crazy.

Felicia Keller
Daily Bruin senior staff
Prediction: Loss in first round

When this team is at its best it has the ability to win the whole thing.

But, too often this season, the Bruins’ mistakes have cost them dearly.

From an early goal allowed against Michigan State, to late goals allowed that dropped key points, they’ve given up plenty of chances, and even more winning opportunities.

On paper, the Bruins and Gauchos have had mixed results against the same opponents.

UCLA beat Westmont handily 5-1, and UCSB drew Westmont 2-2. However, UCLA’s biggest home loss of the season – a 3-1 defeat – came against Cal State Fullerton, who Santa Barbara tied 1-1.

Neither of these teams emerged from the postseason as conference winners, meaning both squads received an at-large bid.

The Bruins have widespread offensive quality, with 12 different goal scorers on the year, coincidentally the same number as the Gauchos.

However, the Gauchos have an apex scoring threat on their roster.

UCSB forward Alexis Ledoux – the Big West Player of the Year – has scored 14 goals this year, the second most in the country. Along with his All-Big West First Team selection, Ledoux has scored a nation-leading five game-winning goals this year, something that could prove crucial in Thursday’s contest.

A talented and prolific goalscorer is exactly who could knock the Bruins out of the tournament, leaving a talented Bruins roster short of postseason glory.

Dylan Winward
Daily Bruin senior staff
Prediction: NCAA champions

Last time I predicted UCLA men’s soccer’s tournament outcome, I was wrong. The time before that, I was wrong too.

At the start of its 2024 campaign, watchers thought UCLA men’s soccer would be well poised to take the Big Ten – a conference which put together a weak 2023 season – by storm.

And yet, they did not.

Then, I thought the Bruins recent Big Ten semifinal match against the No. 7 seed Wolverines would be high scoring.

It was not.

Throughout the season, the Bruins have seemed like a team that has difficulty finding their footing, losing 3-1 to Cal State Fullerton and sacrificing a lead against Michigan at home.

After the Bruins were upset by Loyola Marymount last year in the second round of the NCAA tournament, most people would expect them to get knocked out early.

But, the easiest thing to say about coach Ryan Jorden’s team is that they are good at defying expectations.

The Bruins have always shown resilience when their back is against the wall. When faced with No. 3 seed Maryland in the Big Ten tournament, the Bruins pulled off a 6-0 win, handing the Terrapins their worst loss, by deficit, in over 40 years. And despite going down early against No. 7 seed Michigan, it took two overtime periods and penalty kicks to eliminate Jorden’s team.

This season has seen a number of players develop, with Naef going from being a low-impact player in 2023 to having the second highest assists in the Big Ten this season. Freshman forward Artem Vovk has also notched three goals and one assist, despite only starting one game this season.

It’s that resilience – along with the team’s depth – that makes me believe they can defy all odds and go all the way this year.

Sam Mulick
Daily Bruin senior staff
Prediction: Loss in second round

The Bruins run in the Big Ten tournament revealed two things to me.

One is that the Bruins are capable of winning any game they choose to win.

And two, they often don’t make that choice.

After a historic 6-0 win against No. 3 seed Maryland in the Big Ten quarterfinal, everything was clicking for UCLA’s offense – something it has struggled to do all season – with Naef igniting a firestorm of creativity and goals against a team that was at one point ranked the second best in the country.

However, a combination of poor decision making and a lack of offensive capitalization led to No. 6 seed UCLA failing to get by No. 7 seed Michigan, a team it far outmatched on paper.

UCLA certainly has the opportunity to make a run to the NCAA tournament third round, where it would meet another team they’ve previously beaten – No. 1 seed Ohio State. In order to get there, though, the Bruins have to capitalize on their offensive chances and not wait until they’re down to score a goal.

Naef’s creativity on the right wing will be instrumental along with freshman defender Shakir Nixon seeing more action than he did during the Big Ten tournament. But more than anything, UCLA has to improve in the midfield if it is going to make any mark in this tournament.

Junior midfielder Cam Wilkerson’s recent insertion into the lineup reveals that Jorden is looking for ways to solidify his midfield as a last chance to save the season.

Jorden has also rotated freshman Ratoviz into the mix, who has shown signs of promise – notching two goals and five assists this season.

Thursday’s first round affair will come down to the ability of UCLA’s midfield to create scoring chances, hold a strong defensive line and put the ball in the back of the net.

Chloe Agas
Daily Bruin staff
Prediction: Final round hopefuls

I am not the type to get enthusiastic.

But that 6-0 victory against No. 3 seed Maryland, and the penalty kick loss to No. 7 seed Michigan in the Big Ten semifinal caught me off guard.

I like to compare the depth of Jorden’s roster to the layers of components in a bowl of ramen. With standouts in both novice and experienced players, this team has potential to take top opponents by surprise – much like ramen’s secret ingredient that adds a bold kick in the dish’s broth.

In the Big Ten quarterfinal Jorden’s roster came to life. Naef delivered four assists, while redshirt senior forward Jose Contell initiated the scoring run. With different levels of experience seeing the pitch, the diversity on the field mirrors the unique ingredients that come together in a bowl of ramen.

Looking back on its 2024 campaign, the squad has had its highs and lows in adjusting to a new conference. From conceding a goal against Michigan State in the first two minutes to handing then-No. 2 Ohio State its sole loss of the season, expectations were defied and the Bruins remained unpredictable.

As the NCAA tournament approaches and the Bruins host their first round match at Wallis Annenberg Stadium, I recall a quote that Jorden said after the team’s loss to Michigan in the Big Ten semifinal.

“Beating an NCAA tournament team six-nil – that’s a big accomplishment – I think we have now put down a statement of what we’re capable of,” Jorden said.

With that, I believe that this team is capable of putting the ingredients together and climbing its way to the championship.