UCLA
2-0-0
San Diego
0-1-1
Kamara Lands Brace, UCLA Shuts Out San Diego 2-0
August 28, 2018 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – Junior forward Mohammed Kamara scored a pair of goals within four minutes at the end of the first half and the Bruins combined to hold yet another opponent off the scoreboard as No. 8 UCLA marked the first-ever regular season game at Wallis Annenberg Stadium with a 2-0 victory over San Diego on Tuesday night.
The Bruins (2-0-0) comfortably controlled the majority of the match, outshooting the Toreros (0-1-1) 9-4 including a 7-1 edge in the first half. USD wasn't able to put a shot on frame until the final 10 minutes of the match.
"Tonight we saw some moments of really good soccer, moments where we were thoroughly in control of the game," said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. "We scored two good goals that were indicative of our level of control – they were two quality goals from Mohammed and they required some really smart build-up play to get into their box. We'll continue to work on things we need to and improve before our next match."
UCLA was the only team getting consistent looks at net in the first half, and Kamara was able to help his squad break through in the 41st minute.
With the ball deep in Bruin territory following a USD corner, Erik Holt sprung a quick counter with a long ball over the top to a streaking Kamara on the right side of the Torero box. Advancing on goal, Kamara faked a shot then cut back the opposite way two consecutive times, giving him some room for a tough-angle shot that he was able to slot between the keeper and the near post.
40': UCLA goal!!!
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) August 29, 2018
This Mohammed Kamara kid is something special. #GoBruins #UCLAvsUSD pic.twitter.com/JxzFKCgb2O
Exactly four minutes later, Kamara finished off a nice sequence of passing from the Bruins, with Holt and freshman midfielder Frankie Amaya playing keep-away in Torero territory. Ultimately, Kamara timed a run to the left post perfectly, and Amaya slipped in a low pass. Boxing out a defender to corral the pass, Kamara overcame another odd angle by blasting his shot over the keeper for his first Division I brace.
44': How bout another?
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) August 29, 2018
Mohammed Kamara finishes off a perfect pass from freshman Frankie Amaya and UCLA leads 2-0. #GoBruins #UCLAvsUSD pic.twitter.com/nrsIpya6KM
The Tyler Junior College transfer and 2017 NJCAA National Player of the Year looked to have completed a hat trick in the second half after poking in a through ball from reigning Pac-12 Player of the Week Matt Hundley, but Kamara was whistled offside. Still, the Monrovia, Liberia native has three goals from his first two Division I games following his highlight-reel chip shot in the season opener at then-No. 18 Coastal Carolina.
USD had their best chance to get back into the game in the 59th minute, as the ball came to the feet of Reuben Dass in the 18 off a corner kick, but his close-range effort ricocheted off the crossbar.
While the physical play trended up as the clock wound down, UCLA successfully kept the Toreros at bay, with the visitors managing just one shot over the final 30 minutes of the contest.
Senior keeper Cole Martinez made one save for his second consecutive clean sheet. With the decision, the Bruins have now held their opponents scoreless in all four games this season (counting exhibitions). Holt, a MAC Hermann Watch List member, recorded helpers on both of UCLA's goals en route to his first career multi-assist game.
The Bruins wrap up a mini-homestand on Sunday, hosting San Francisco at 7:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Kamara, Mohammed (2)
Assisted By: Holt, Erik
beats defenders and goalie
40:05
Kamara, Mohammed (3)
Assisted By: Holt, Erik , Amaya, Frankie
shot in crowded box
44:05
