Saturday night was a memorable one for the seniors on the UCLA men’s soccer team, as they played in their final home game of the regular season.
Before the match began, the team held a ceremony on the grass to honor seniors Richard Flores, Maxwell Griffin, Jason Leopoldo, and Brad Rusin. Following the ceremony, the No. 22 Bruins (9-4-6) put a fitting end to the night by beating Cal Poly (10-5-5) 2-1 at Drake Stadium.
Although it was a memorable night for the seniors, it was also a special night for freshman defender Andy Rose. His score, the first of his collegiate career, in the 18th minute put the Bruins ahead 1-0. After receiving a pass from junior midfielder Michael Stephens, Rose released a deadly long-ranged shot that flew passed Cal Poly goalkeeper Eric Branagan-Franco’s diving attempt.
“I couldn’t believe it, to be honest,” Rose said. “It was just a good touch, and I hit it and I watched it sail in ““ it was great moment.”
The Bruins doubled their lead in the 68th minute. After misfiring on two shots, which unluckily bounced off the goal post, Griffin finally found the net for his team-leading 10th goal of the season.
“It felt amazing,” Griffin said. “It was obviously frustrating hitting the post twice, and getting that goal in was just a huge weight off my shoulders and it gave me a lot of confidence.”
Griffin’s goal proved to be the game-winner.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, who had not allowed a goal in 664 consecutive minutes, the scoreless streak came to an end after Griffin was called for a hand ball inside the box in the 89th minute. Cal Poly forward David Zamora converted on the penalty kick to eliminate the Bruins’ bid for a seventh straight shutout and pull the Mustangs within one. Junior goalkeeper Brian Perk, who stood directly behind Griffin when he was called for the hand ball, believes the call should not have been made and claims that Griffin did not intend on touching the ball with his hands.
“Maxwell had his hands on his chest,” Perk said. “He’s usually a great referee, and I do enjoy when he’s our referee, but I think he just got it wrong tonight. In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter. A win is a win. I’m a little disappointed because to give it up like that was really the disappointing part. I felt that we did so well, and it just stole that zero from us. It happens.”
Unlike the Bruins’ attacking style, which is slower and more methodical, the Mustangs prefer to attack from the air by delivering long crosses from the sides of the field. Fortunately for UCLA, they have had many opponents try the same strategy and have worked on this specific defense during recent practices.
“I thought we had a really good mentality defensively,” coach Jorge Salcedo said. “We were good in the back with Brad, and Danny Suits did a good job. Andy Rose did a good job by winning the aerial battles.”
The Bruins, who are now unbeaten in seven straight games and in 13 of their last 14 games, will end their regular season at San Diego State next Saturday.
“I think we’re all excited to be out there playing,” Rose said. “The seniors have had four great years, so hopefully they can end (the regular season) in the best way.”