After suffering a disappointing loss to Oregon State in
Corvallis last weekend, the UCLA men’s soccer team made it a
point during practice this week to bounce back in a big way.
To complete that goal, UCLA will not have to look too far.
The No. 12 Bruins (7-3, 3-1 Pac-10) will travel locally today to
face the No. 23 Matadors (6-2-2) of Cal State Northridge before
facing No. 19 San Diego State at home Sunday afternoon.
Rather than relying on the strong play they have been getting
out of the defense ““ which is currently ranked sixth in the
nation ““ the Bruins’ offense will look to string
together a series of games that employ offensive efficiency.
Since their return from the road trip to Washington and Oregon,
coach Jorge Salcedo has been stressing to his squad that the Bruins
must improve offensively, with a particular focus on taking
advantages of the opportunities that the opposing defense provides
for them.
“What we’re working on this week is how we’re
going to defend them, and how we’re going to attack them as
well,” Salcedo said.
The Matadors are 0-12 all-time against the Bruins and are led by
forward Willie Sims. Sims, a two-time all-region selection, has
already recorded eight goals and two assists this season.
Salcedo, however, remains confident in his defense and expects
the unit to play up to the challenge of facing a very strong
offensive club.
“We’re defending well,” Salcedo said, “I
think we have a pretty good idea as a team of how we need to
defend, so I feel confident about that.”
Even more reassuring for Salcedo is that starting goalkeeper
Eric Reed, who is ranked second in the nation with a 0.341 goals
against average, has found a rhythm. Reed has shut out opponents in
seven of his nine games, and has six solo shutouts this season.
“We’re playing well as a team, and when everyone
steps up as a unit and when we commit ourselves to the game,
it’s going to be hard to give up a goal,” Reed
said.
Although Reed has been stalwart in front of the net, the Bruin
goalie doesn’t want the team to become complacent on his
goalkeeping.
“We don’t want to rely on that,” Reed added,
“We definitely want to try our best and put as many goals in
the back of the net as we can. The defense is going to keep
fighting and keep them out.”
Salcedo has the same belief, hoping that the Bruins can win even
if the opposing team is able to get the ball past Reed.
“In our seven games that we’ve won, we haven’t
given up a goal,” Salcedo said, “That’s not to
say that if we give up a goal that we’re going to lose a
game.”
Upon their return from Northridge, the Bruins will get a day off
before facing another top-tier program, No. 19 San Diego State, in
a Pac-10 Conference match-up.
The Aztecs, whose only loss of the season came against Oregon
State, have dropped 10-straight games to the Bruins.
UCLA hopes to capitalize on a favorable schedule and recover
from last weekend’s loss to Oregon State. Despite any
offensive hiccups the Bruins may have suffered during conference
play, they remain confident that they can finish their season on a
high note.
“It’s definitely looking positive,” Reed said,
“We’ve faced a few losses already this season. I think
it’s only making us stronger; it’s only going to turn
us around and make us play harder each and every game.”