UCLA
Cal Poly
UCLA Finishes Weekend with Second Straight Scoreless Tie
September 15, 2014 | Men's Soccer
Los Angeles, Calif. - The UCLA Bruins played to a 0-0 double overtime tie with the Cal Poly Mustangs tonight at Drake Stadium. This marks the second game in a row that has ended in a scoreless draw for the top-ranked Bruins.
“I thought we created enough to win the game,” said UCLA coach Jorge Salcedo. “I thought we created some really good goal scoring opportunities, but right now our guys are lacking a little bit of confidence, a little bit of assurance.” Coach Salcedo continued about the team's defensive effort, “We went 220 minutes without giving up a goal on the weekend. I think that it's been great for our group to see how well we can defend. Earl [Edwards] came up with a couple really big saves in this game. We've always known defensively we'd be really good, but the hardest part early on in the season is scoring goals. We've scored early in the first few games when we were on the road, we just have to get back to feeling like the chances we create we're going to take and convert into goals.”
Bruins goalkeeper Earl Edwards recorded his second shutout in as many nights, totaling five saves, including two crucial back-to-back stops in the 86th minute, forcing the game into overtime. Edwards has not allowed a goal since the 30:54 mark in the first half against New Mexico, giving the Redshirt Senior just over 279 minutes of shutout play.
UCLA (3-1-2) got off to a quick start offensively, creating numerous chances in the first half. Larry Ndjock had two opportunities early on including one in the 33rd minute. The chance was initiated by a long lofted pass off the foot of Leo Stolz finding Ndjock in behind the Cal Poly (4-1-1) defense. Ndjock managed to beat the goalkeeper to the far side, but Cal Poly's Brett Foreman was there to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line.
In the second 45 minute period, the Bruins continued to push for the game's opening tally. UCLA's best chance of the half came in the 60th minute when William Cline served a cross into the box that was deflected straight to Leo Stolz who's shot from point blank was stopped by Mustangs goalkeeper Wade Hamilton. Stolz would have another golden opportunity late in the first overtime session, but it was Hamilton again proving up to the task.
The story of the night, however, was the UCLA Bruin defense. For a second game in a row, the defensive corps proved solid with the likes of Edgar Contreras and Michael Amick making timely tackles. Their effort matched with the play of Edwards earned the Bruins a second straight shutout.
UCLA will travel to UC Santa Barbara to play their next match on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:00pm PT. The game will be broadcast live on NSCAATV.
