M. soccer takes two on road
No. 10 UCLA shuts out UNLV,
New Mexico at end of travels
By Tim Costner
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
It’s all downhill from here. Well, sort of.
With seven games left in the regular season, the UCLA men’s
soccer team completed it’s road schedule last weekend, topping New
Mexico, 1-0, on Sunday and rolling past Nevada-Las Vegas, 3-0, on
Friday.
So now the No. 10 Bruins (10-1 overall) are poised for a strong
finish, but – in addition to their league rivals – they will have
to face No. 2 Indiana at the end of this month.
Even so, UCLA proved once again this weekend that they could
find ways to win, which is good news for a team that will have to
contend with the Hoosiers in three short weeks.
***
Against the Runnin’ Rebels (4-7) at Peter Johann Memorial Field,
the Bruins were able to create chances on goal despite the home
team’s trademark physical style of play.
The Bruins scored their first goal in the 41st minute after UCLA
midfielder Caleb Meyer set up fellow midfielder Justin Selander
with a cross pass from the right side.
Selander volleyed the ball from the top of the goal box and into
the net to put UCLA up, 1-0.
In the second half, the Bruins resumed the scoring as UCLA
defender Adam Frye assisted forward Ante Razov on a breakaway,
which put the striker into a one-on-one with the Rebel goalie.
Razov buried the ball in the 63rd minute to give the Bruins an
insurance goal and a 2-0 lead.
Then, in the 89th minute Frye tallied a goal of his own on an
assist by UCLA midfielder Eddie Lewis. With a chip shot over the
goalie’s head, Frye put the Bruins up 3-0 and dashed all hopes of a
Rebel comeback.
All in all, the game featured six cautions and one ejection –
with UCLA garnering just two of the bookings. UCLA goalie Chris
Snitko had five saves on the evening.
***
Sunday’s game against the Lobos (7-5) featured another classic
1-0 squeaker by the Bruins, who have won six games this season by a
one-goal margin.
And, in what has become typical for UCLA, the game-winner came
late in the second half.
The Bruins found redemption in the 74th minute, scoring on their
only shot on goal in the second half.
Razov orchestrated the play, crossing the ball from the left
corner to UCLA midfielder Tahj Jakins, who put a one-touch past the
Lobo goalie to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead and an eventual
victory.
The shutout was Snitko’s third consecutive.
***
With the two victories, the Bruins have improved their Mountain
Pacific Sports Federation record to 2-1. UCLA will play its last
four conference games over the next two weeks.