University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
0-0-1
Maryland
0-0-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | OT 3 | OT 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| UCLA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Bruins and Terrapins Play to 1-1 Draw
August 26, 2016 | Men's Soccer
Carson, Calif. - The No. 16 UCLA men's soccer team gave fourth-ranked Maryland all it could handle in the season opener for both teams on Friday evening, as the two perennial powers played to a 1-1 draw before 1,134 fans at the StubHub Center.
Both goals in Friday's contest came in the first five minutes of action, with the Bruins (0-0-1) getting on the board first a little over a minute into action (1:05) on a strike by junior forward Jason Romero. Senior midfielder Brian Iloski fed in a ball from the right side to a charging Romero, who slotted a right-footed touch just past Maryland goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier.
Newcomer @romerojason10 wasted no time in making an impact at #UCLA. 65 seconds to be precise. ?? pic.twitter.com/cKcopgbIVR
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) August 27, 2016
Although it appeared that UCLA had the momentum from the start, the Terrapins (0-0-1) were unfazed, as a little over two minutes later junior midfielder Jake Rozhansky blasted a long-range shot off the post, nearly equalizing the contest. Maryland wouldn't have to wait long to get that goal, as senior defender Alex Crognale converted a header past Bruin goalkeeper Juan Cervantes at the 4:29 mark to tie the game at one apiece. Maryland midfielder Cody Albrecht lofted a ball into the box that both teams initially failed to get a touch on. A high bounce ensued, allowing the 6-5 Crognale to out-jump his defender head it in from close range.
Although both teams played scoreless soccer for the additional 105 minutes of action, which included 20 minutes of overtime, fans in attendance were treated to some exciting play throughout. Maryland came within inches of taking a 2-1 lead in the 24th minute when a shot by Gordon Wild caromed off the crossbar. One of the Bruins' best opportunities actually came in the second overtime period when senior Abdullah Adam found himself with just the goalkeeper in front of him, eventually sailing a ball high over the crossbar.
"I thought that both teams had a lot of good moments and that both teams were maybe a little unlucky not to finish," said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. "But there are a lot of positives for me tonight. We came and played the way we wanted to play and created chances. Unfortunately we couldn't convert on a few clear goal-scoring opportunities."
Cervantes played a masterful 110:00 minutes in goal for the Bruins, recording a match-high five saves, many of which were diving stops on legitimate Maryland scoring opportunities. Niedermeier also played the entire game in goal for the Terrapins, finishing with four saves.
"Every game we play against Maryland there are 22 guys who are fighting for every blade of grass on the field and we saw that tonight," added Salcedo on the physicality of the game. Tonight it happened to be a huge field that was really taxing on both teams physically and ultimately probably a draw was the right result. I'm happy that we performed in moments the way we did. There are a lot of things that we will go back and refine and hopefully get better for Monday night against Cal State Fullerton."
Monday's game against the Titans will take place back on campus at UCLA's Drake Stadium. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth. UCLA students are free with w/valid ID.
Team Stats
Romero, Jason (1)
Assisted By: Iloski, Brian , Yueill, Jackson
pass across front of goal, tapped in
1:05
Crognale, Alex (1)
Assisted By: Albrecht, Cody
header into open goal after goalie unabl
4:29
