With three assists Friday against San Diego State, senior midfielder Ryan Hollingshead set a career-high for assists in a game.
On a counterattack, Ryan Hollingshead received a through ball, seemingly getting in behind the defense one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Seemingly.
The UCLA senior midfielder could have unleashed a shot on goal but instead noticed junior forward Reed Williams to his right and made the extra pass, setting up Williams for a tap-in goal.
The assist was the first of a career-high three in one game for Hollingshead who helped the team to a 4-3 win over San Diego State Friday, heading into the team’s bye week.
“A lot of players would take that shot, but he’s just very selfless like I said and just lays the ball off,” Williams said.
“That’s what he’s been doing very well, setting players up and taking players on, baiting a defender, then laying it off.”
The three assists were the most in a single game for the Bruins since 2003. For his efforts, Hollingshead was named UCLA/Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week, adding to his Pac-12 Player of the Week award from earlier this month.
To those on the team, Hollingshead’s recent tear, and his ability to make plays like he did setting up Williams, hasn’t come as a surprise.
Coach Jorge Salcedo mentioned that Hollingshead picked up his play toward the middle and end of last season.
“I can tell the same thing’s going to happen this year, he just becomes more fit and sharper, and better with his decision-making,” Salcedo said.
“The goals that he creates for us, some of it’s from his effort, some of it’s through his skill, some of it’s through his pace, and so when Ryan is on and he’s fit and he’s healthy he presents issues for opposing teams.”
Javan a ball
Freshman defender Javan Torre has been away from the team on international duty.
Torre was part of the United States’ Under-20 Men’s National Team that participated in the Marbella Cup in Spain. He was one of six collegiate players on the 19-man roster and started all three games, helping the team to a 2-1-0 finish in the tournament.
“(He) played three 90-minute matches against high-level competition with really good players in his group ““ a lot of the professionals representing the Under-20 National Team ““ so it’s going to do nothing but help him (and) help us,” Salcedo said.
“His match fitness will be better, his sharpness will be better, so I’m really pleased that he had that experience because it is only going to help our group.”
Willing the team on
In addition to scoring the early goal on the breakaway to put the Bruins up 2-1, Williams found the net again later on, knocking in a goal assisted by Hollingshead to put the team back up 3-2 on Friday.
For the second time this season, Williams scored two goals in a game, upping his season total to a team-leading five goals.
“I’m feeling pretty good. It’s good to get another scoring rhythm. … It’s good to get a couple more goals under my belt and get a little confidence heading towards the later half of the Pac-12 season,” Williams said.
This is Howe we do it
As a freshman, defender Grady Howe is just getting his first experience with the pressure of a conference title race.
Additionally, Howe has been playing a new position this season, starting all 13 games this season at right back, as opposed to playing in the center of defense where he played before coming to UCLA.
“The guys have been real supportive of me, a freshman coming in and getting playing time is something I certainly appreciate, and the guys have been really helpful with that,” Howe said.
UCLA (9-2-2, 4-1-0 Pac-12) finds itself mired in a tight race for the conference title after losing its first conference game in more than two years on Oct. 8 against Washington.
“In this title race … I feel pressure every day to go out and train and prepare for an important game, which is good,” Howe said. “It keeps me in the mentality of always wanting to improve and always having to be sharp when I step on the field.”