UCLA men’s soccer faced its first true test of the 2015 season last weekend, taking a season-opening victory and its No. 1 national ranking to the East Coast for a pair of top-15 matchups. After two disappointing losses, the Bruins (1-2) return to Westwood with a losing record and a guarantee of a sharp tumble in the polls this upcoming week.
The trip started slowly, as No. 6 Maryland (2-0-1) dominated the first half of Friday night’s game. The Terrapins outshot the Bruins 11-3, but nobody was able to find the back of the net until a Maryland penalty kick in the 67th minute.
UCLA, led by sophomore forward Abu Danladi, mounted a late comeback attempt and erased the one-goal deficit in the 80th minute on a 25-yard goal. Just six minutes into overtime, however, the Terps’ balanced attack found its way past redshirt junior goalie Juan Cervantes again, heading in the game-winning goal.
Three days later and 17 miles south, UCLA fell to No. 12 Georgetown (1-2-1) by a score of 3-1. Like Friday, the Bruins struggled through the first half. The lone goal came from freshman Jackson Yueill in the 71st minute.
Before the Bruins went to Washington, D.C., the Hoyas were off to one of the worst starts in program history, failing to win a match since their season opened on Aug. 28. Injuries and roster turnover contributed to Georgetown’s inability to play at full strength before easily handling its matchup with UCLA.
“The road trip was obviously disappointing,” said coach Jorge Salcedo in an interview with UCLA Athletics. “We did enough in both second halves of each game to win. … We will bounce back quickly and move forward.”
UCLA will have a chance to do just that as it begins a five-game home stand with a matchup against UC Riverside Friday night.
Compiled by Tanner Walters and Korbin Placet, Bruin Sports senior staff.