It was supposed to be an easy victory against a second-rate
team.
But instead, things got a little heated during the UCLA
men’s soccer team’s final regular season game against
UC Davis.
Yellow cards flew as Bruins and Aggies lay sprawled on the
field. But if anything, the pain the Bruins inflicted and endured
in their 3-1 victory Saturday at Drake Stadium will benefit them as
they head into the NCAA Tournament this weekend.
“I feel when it comes time for big games, we go
big,” freshman defender Marvell Wynne said.
“We’re strong, if teams want to push, we’re going
to push back.
“We can handle anything. Whatever (teams) bring,
we’re going to bring 10 times as much.”
With their third Pac-10 conference title clinched, coach Jorge
Salcedo was pleased to face a non-conference opponent willing to
test his Bruins.
“It was a good game for us to have before we go into the
playoffs,” Salcedo said. “UC Davis fought hard and
played with a lot of heart. They were well organized. They made it
tough for us to break them down.”
The Bruins’ offense was jump-started in the first half by
the foot of midfielder Benny Feilhaber. After receiving a cross
from Jonathan Bornstein, Feilhaber tip-toed between three Aggie
defenders and struck a 12-foot shot that he sent to the right side
of the goal in the 38th minute.
But the lead was short-lived as the Aggies (6-10-2) scored on an
equalizer in the first minute of the second half on a shot by
junior Connor Voss.
But Feilhaber and the No. 4 Bruins (13-3-2, 6-2-0 Pac-10)
weren’t done. After goalkeeper Eric Reed dove and stopped a
potential Aggie goal, UCLA had a breakaway opportunity. Senior
forward Mike Enfield broke loose down the field, eventually finding
Kiel McClung near the right post, who then found Feilhaber for his
second goal of the game and fifth of the season in the 78th
minute.
“It was a group effort today,” Feilhaber said.
“The defense battled the entire time, but our offense came up
pretty big today.”
Enfield finished with a goal of his own on a breakaway set up by
sophomore Chad Barrett. The senior, who leads the conference in
scoring with 11 goals, feels the team has come a long way since its
ranking plummeted to No. 19 earlier this season.
“Starting out the first game of the season was a battle
and every game since then was a battle for us,” Enfield said.
“I think our team is starting to play well when it matters
and hopefully we can continue this into the playoffs.”
Even though the Bruins, winners of eight of their last nine
matches, are peaking at the right moment, they will not take any
team they face in the postseason lightly.
“We’re confident, but we also realize there are a
lot of good teams out there,” Salcedo said. “Nothing is
going to be handed to us.”