University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
California
UCLA Loses Tight Battle to Cal, 1-0
November 03, 2014 | Men's Soccer
Los Angeles, Calif. – The top-ranked UCLA Bruins fell to the No. 17 California Golden Bears, 1-0, on Sunday night at Drake Stadium. A crucial error in the penalty area cost the Bruins a chance at earning revenge on the only team to have beaten them this year in the Pac-12 Conference.
“This is probably the most disappointing result of the year,” said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. “We give the goal away that wins them the game and it's one of the softest goals you'll ever see. It's disappointing because in the first half, after about the first ten minutes, we really settled in and we had the game under control. To give up that goal in the way that we did, in the manner that we did and at the time in the second half that we did, it changed the game.”
Cal (10-3-1, 4-2-1 in the Pac-12) scored the only goal of the game in the 47th minute after senior Connor Hallisey stole the ball from UCLA goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. inside the 18 yard box. Hallisey intercepted the pass attempt from Edwards Jr. and deposited it into the empty net, his eighth goal of the year, to eventually foil the efforts of the Bruins.
It was UCLA (10-4-4, 5-2-2 in the Pac-12) who dominated the early part of the game, easily controlling the possession and pace of play in the opening half. The Bruins exhibited wonderful passing, linking up numerous times in the offensive third. However, their command of the game did not result in a goal and only earned them three shots in the initial frame.
In the second half, the Bruins were stunned by the early concession that put them behind and were forced to play a more aggressive style. The UCLA attack was able to create a few quality chances capable of equalizing the count, including the best chance of the half from Larry Ndjock. In the 72nd minute, Andrew Tusaazemajja sent a hard low cross from the right corner towards the near post where a streaking Ndjock got a foot on it to redirect it on target. The shot was firm and well placed, but Cal goalkeeper Justin Taillole was there to deny the junior of the tally.
With the Bruins sending more numbers forward, the backline became susceptible to the counter-attack. In the 84th minute, Cal sent a long ball in behind the UCLA defense finding freshman Paul Salcedo alone with only the goalkeeper to beat. However, Edwards Jr., who made three saves in total, showed his aptitude by charging Salcedo and making a desperation tackle to preserve the one goal deficit, thus keeping the Bruins' hopes alive.
The Bruins made a valiant late push to bring the game level, but were unable to find the touch to force extra time. An 87th minute header from Aaron Simmons that went sailing over the crossbar was the final quality chance for UCLA before dropping the home bout, 1-0, to Cal.
Despite the loss, UCLA maintains a four-point lead in the Pac-12 Conference standings with one regular season game remaining.
The Bruins have no games next week, but will close out their regular season slate on Sunday, November 16 at 1:00pm PT against the San Diego State Aztecs. The game will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks and will feature a ceremony to honor the senior members of the team.
