
UCLA Eliminated from NCAA Tournament
November 23, 2015 | Men's Soccer
SEATTLE, Wash. – A late first-half goal for Seattle University proved to be enough as the UCLA Bruins fell to the Redhawks, 1-0, on Sunday evening at Championship Field. Hamza Haddadi's 40th minute goal sunk the Bruins and eliminated them from the NCAA Tournament.
Both teams generated a number of good scoring chances in the opening 45 minutes of play. The Bruins nearly got on the board first in the 10th minute when Abu Danladi showed off his speed down the middle of the pitch. A pass sprung the sophomore towards the penalty area where he took a few touches toward the left side past a pair of defenders. He then let a low left-footed shot fly, but was stopped by a diving save from Shane Haworth to keep the game scoreless.
Seattle (18-3-1) eventually netted the game's first goal late in the half courtesy of Haddadi. Redhawks right back Nick Prasad played a long ball from his own half deep into UCLA territory. The ball sailed over the Bruin backline and some confusion between the UCLA defense and goalkeeper Juan Cervantes let Haddadi slip in behind. The striker got to the ball first and slid it between Cervantes' legs to give the Redhawks the 1-0 lead.
At the half, UCLA was getting out-shot, 8-5, but had earned four corners to Seattle's three.
UCLA (11-9-1) came out with more energy in the second half in search of an equalizer. After consistent pressure from the Bruin attack, Jackson Yueill came up with the best chance of the game. In the 75th minute with UCLA pressing for a goal, Yueill lined up a right-footed blast from just on top of the penalty area. His shot found its way through a maze of defenders, but careened off of the left post and into the corner.
The Bruins continued to push more men forward in the hopes of finding a tying goal, but found it difficult to navigate the crowded offensive third. With the Redhawks packing in the players defensively, a series of attempts almost led to a late goal for UCLA in the 89th minute. After a flurry of chances, the ball rebounded out to defender Nathan Smith at the top of the box. Smith hit the ball with his left foot off of one bounce, but his attempt rose just high over the crossbar.
In the end, UCLA was unable to solve the stout Seattle defense led by goalkeeper Shane Haworth, falling 1-0.
Overall, UCLA out-shot Seattle, 15-12, including 10-4 in the second half. Haworth made six saves in the shutout victory, while Cervantes made three saves in the loss.
The defeat ends the Bruins' season and eliminates them from the NCAA Tournament. UCLA finishes the year with an overall record of 11-9-1. The Bruins finished second in the Pac-12 Conference and continued their streak of 33 consecutive tournament appearances.