UCLA
2-2-0
UNLV
1-4-0
Late Penalty Kick Lifts No. 25 UCLA over UNLV
September 11, 2017 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – Brian Iloski scored the game-winning goal with two minutes to play in regulation on a penalty kick as the No. 25 UCLA men's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over UNLV on Monday night in the team's home opener at Drake Stadium.
"Tonight wasn't the best performance from our group but good teams find ways to win games when it's not their best performance," said coach Jorge Salcedo. "The second half was much better than the first half in terms of goal-scoring opportunities and moving in the final third. Their goalkeeper made a couple of fantastic saves and it kind of seemed it was going to be one of those nights where we weren't going to get the goal to win the game. But the buildup that led to our goal was fantastic with great movement. I'm proud of the guys that we found a way to win when it wasn't our best night."
With the match scoreless after the first half, UCLA picked up the intensity with 10 shots on goal and nine corner kicks in the second period. The pressure culminated in the 88th minute when Andrew Paoli found a streaking Santiago Herrera with a through ball into the box who drew a foul. That set up Iloski on the ensuing penalty kick as he took a stutter step to move the keeper and then took a low shot for the deciding goal.
It marks Iloski's fourth goal of the season and he improves to 2-for-2 in penalty kicks.
Check out Brian Iloski putting home the PK for the win!#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/pFNngz8UsA
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) September 12, 2017
The Bruins had a number of chances in the opening minutes of the second half, but UNLV goalkeeper Enrique Adame made a number of highlight saves to keep the match scoreless. Milan Iloski took a shot from inside the penalty area in the 56th minute that Adame was able to get a hand on to keep the match scoreless. Less than 10 minutes later Herrera would head a corner that was inches from crossing the goal line before Adame was able to push it wide. The Rebels' keeper finished the match with six saves.
UCLA earned its first shutout of the season behind four saves by Kevin Silva. It is his fourth career shutout.
The Bruins outshot the Rebels 13-9 and held a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks.
UCLA hits the road for another top-25 matchup on Tuesday, Sept. 19 as they travel to No. 3 Clemson with kick off set for 4 p.m. PT. The match will be live streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
Team Stats
Iloski, Brian (4)
UCLA Iloski, Brian PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 4 for season.
87:25
