Senior defender Lauren Barnes broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the 78th minute of play, and freshman midfielder Chelsea Braun added another about nine minutes later to lift No. 11 UCLA (6-2-1) to a 2-0 victory over San Diego (5-3-2) at Drake Stadium on Friday.
It was the first game this season that the Bruins were without junior forward Sydney Leroux, who is currently with the full U.S. Women’s National Team in Kennesaw, Ga., and will miss Sunday’s match against No. 10 Santa Clara.
Albeit scoreless, UCLA outshot San Diego 8-3 in the first half, with five of the shots coming on goal.
The Bruins finally capitalized on their scoring chances on a free kick in the 78th minute. From her position just outside the box, Barnes fired a shot that streaked into the net past Torero goalkeeper Courtney Parsons, giving the left-footed defender her third goal of the season.
Braun then notched the first goal of her career in the 87th minute. After receiving a cross from senior midfielder and Daily Bruin photographer Dana Wall, Braun promptly buried the ball into the net from about 20 yards out, all but finalizing a UCLA victory.
The Bruins return to Drake Stadium on Sunday to take on the Broncos at 1 p.m.