The Bruins are still winless.

They have scored just one goal and allowed four through two losses and two draws.

While they still have yet to claim that elusive win, the Bruins trekked across the country and kept the ball out of their own net for the first time this season.

“We have progressed pretty linearly right now and gotten 10% better every time out,” said coach Ryan Jorden. “We continue to take a step in the right direction with every result and performance. You’re always hoping, can you get to a place where you’re starting to get the winning results?”

UCLA men’s soccer (0-2-2) tied No. 17 Kentucky (2-0-1) by a score of 0-0 in Lexington on Labor Day. The Bruins’ young backline locked things down and started to find synergy up top.

But junior defender Tre Wright said the team wants more.

“The team was not exactly satisfied to have tied, but we were pretty happy to not have conceded for the first game. We were very happy with the shutout,” Wright said. “They’re a good team, they’re ranked. We go to their place on the road for our first team trip. We were overall not happy, but we were OK with the result.”

For the second consecutive game, UCLA recorded double digit shots, after not reaching that mark in its first two losses of the year.

The Bruins sent four shots on target, including a shot from the six-yard box from redshirt sophomore forward Sergi Solans Ormo in the first half.

Additionally, a slotted through pass to junior midfielder Philip Naef provided a 1-on-1 chance with the goalkeeper in the second.

And graduate student midfielder Konstantinos Georgallides hit the crossbar on a shot from outside the box to start the second half in his season debut.

“We put ourselves in some really good positions to score, just didn’t take it. That’s the disappointing part,” Jorden said. “I told the guys afterwards. I said, ‘When you tie and it feels like you lost, because you know you should have won, that’s when you feel like you’re in a place where the expectation – based on the standard and quality of your play – is good.’”

The Bruins also had a shake up on defense, with freshman defender Blake Bayless starting at center back and making his season debut next to sophomore Allan Legaspi.

Bayless replaced graduate student transfer Drew Brown – who picked up an injury prior to the Kentucky match.

“I technically found out a couple hours before we kicked off. I had an idea the day before,” Bayless said. “But obviously I was super excited for the opportunity, and I was confident, because we spent all week preparing for that game. I knew if I was going to have the opportunity to play, that I would be able to step up and help the team.”

The underclassmen center back duo comprised a young backline, with sophomore Shakir Nixon at right back, and junior Wright covering the left side, as well as another freshman in goalkeeper Ryan Tiltack as the last line of defense.

UCLA’s first trip out of Southern California this season was a bonding opportunity for the new group as well, with the long multi-flight journey to Kentucky following its 1-1 draw against Cal State Fullerton on Thursday.

“You grow a lot closer with some guys. You realize how much the team honestly clicks,” Wright said. “You realize that we just have amazing guys on the team, and no matter who you’re with, you’re going to enjoy your time. And we bonded well. We do team activities, we joke, we walk around, we laugh, we have a good time.”