UCLA
California
UCLA Shuts Out California For Second Straight Week, 1-0
October 23, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 23, 2009
Second-ranked UCLA improved its unbeaten streak to 10 games with a 1-0 shutout victory over 20th-ranked California in Berkeley. The win was UCLA's third-straight by shutout. The Bruins had shut out the Golden Bears a week ago in Los Angeles by the same score.
Senior midfielder Kyle Nakazawa provided the game's only goal at 40:20. Andrew Sinderhoff and Michael Stephens picked up the assists. Nakazawa's goal was his team-leading ninth of the season and his fourth game-winning goal. The goal was created thanks to a long string of passes during the Bruins' possession. The Bruins had a good combination in the box, but Cal won a tackle. UCLA, however, won the ball back, and Sinderhoff played a ball into the box to Stephens, and he one-timed it to Nakazawa, who finished to the far post.
UCLA senior goalkeeper Brian Perk recorded his fourth shutout in seven games played. He had two saves in the contest.
The Bruins outshot California, 11-7 in the game, and 8-2 in the first half.
"Our performance was very solid from beginning to end," said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. "We had the majority of the possession throughout the game. The goal was a result of 14 passes and winning the ball back in their penalty box. The finish was from a intelligent pass from Michael Stephens, and Kyle Nakazawa took his goal really well. We are pleased with the performance and look forward to Sunday."
UCLA's record improves to 9-1-2 overall and 4-0-2 in the Pac-10, giving the Bruins a conference-best 14 points in the league standings. California, which lost its third straight, drops to 8-6-0, 2-4-0 in the conference. UCLA will next visit 21st-ranked Stanford on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1 pm.
