Saturday, September 8
College Park, MD
9:00 AM
UCLA
at
Maryland
UCLA has allowed one goal through its first three games for the first time since 2000 (photo: Scott Chandler)
Photo by: Scott Chandler
No. 14 UCLA Returns to East Coast, Faces Maryland
September 06, 2018 | Men's Soccer
GAME INFORMATION
No. 14 UCLA (2-1-0) vs. Maryland (0-1-2)
Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 – 4:00 p.m. PT
Location: College Park, Md. (Ludwig Field)
Television/Stream: Big Ten Network
Live Stats: UCLABruins.com
Twitter Updates: @UCLAMSoccer
BRUINS FLY EAST FOR NEAR-ANNUAL SHOWDOWN WITH MARYLAND
This week UCLA makes its second trip to the east coast in the first three weeks of the season, facing Maryland on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). The Bruins opened the season with a 4-0 win at then-No. 18 Coastal Carolina on Aug. 24. UCLA will be looking to improve on its fortunes at Ludwig Field, where they are just 1-4-1 against the Terrapins. This if the fourth consecutive year in which the Bruins and Terps will face off, and the 12th time since 2001. The match will be televised/streamed on the Big Ten Network. Live stats and a stream link will be available through UCLABruins.com.
WEEK IN REVIEW
After a strong 2-0 start to the season, UCLA picked up its first loss of 2018 on Sunday, Sept. 2 at the hands of San Francisco, which took a 1-0 decision at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The Bruins outshot the Dons 18-9 and had several chances to score, but ultimately couldn't find the back of the net despite hitting the post/crossbar three times and producing a trio of Grade-A opportunities for junior forward Mohammed Kamara. USF scored the lone goal of the contest on a quick counter, with Jorge Ruiz making a run down the right wing and then threading a pass through the middle for Sean Bowman, who calmly slipped it past UCLA freshman keeper Justin Garces, who was making his NCAA debut. USF jumped from unranked to No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll after the contest.
WALLIS ANNENBERG STADIUM OPENS FOR 2018 SEASON
After playing home games at Drake Stadium from 2000-17, the UCLA soccer teams have moved into a new home, Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The stadium, which seats 2,145, is located at the previously-named North Athletic Field, where UCLA played selected home games from 1967-99. The stadium was made possible thanks to a $5 million lead gift from the Annenberg Foundation. The just-completed first phase of the stadium project includes grandstands and a press box on the west side, a Daktronics LED video board and Musco Sports lighting. Future phases of the stadium project may include expanded seating, a training room, student-athlete locker room, coaches' locker rooms, meeting spaces, ticketing space, and a new press box.
IN THE POLLS
UCLA remained in each of the major polls this week. The Bruins are ranked as high as No. 14 (Top Drawer Soccer), but were also included in the top-25 for Top Drawer Soccer (No. 16) and College Soccer News (No. 18). UCLA was left out of the top-25 of the United Soccer Coaches poll this week after being tabbed at a season-high No. 8 last week, but received the second-most votes of schools outside the top-25. This week's opponent, Maryland, is unranked. Two of the Bruins' three opponents this year are ranked (CCU, USF), three if you include Grand Canyon (preseason exhibition). In the United Soccer Coaches Far West poll, UCLA is ranked No. 4 (tops among Pac-12 schools).
DEFENSE FIRST MENTALITY
UCLA has been among the best in the nation at keeping the ball out of its own net so far this season, allowing just one goal over the team's first three games. The Bruins' current team goals against average of 0.33 ranks 12th in the nation, and they are one of just three west coast schools inside the top-20. Historically, this is the first time since 2013 and just the second time in the Jorge Salcedo era (since 2004) that UCLA recorded shut outs in its first two games. The Bruins have allowed just one goal against through the first three games of a season for the first time since 2000.
AMAYA CALLED UP TO U-20 NATIONAL TEAM
UCLA freshman midfielder Frankie Amaya received a call-up the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team this week. He will join the squad after the Bruins' contest at Maryland and be available for tournament games at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. on Sept. 9 (against the U.S. U-19 squad) and Sept. 11 (vs. Venezuela). Amaya made his debut with the U-20s earlier this year, participating in a two-week training camp in Spain, scoring a goal against France, and playing against the Atletico Madrid U-21 team. The U-20s are in the middle of the 2019 World Cup cycle with the CONCACAF U-20 championship on the horizon in November.
KAMARA DOESN'T MISS A BEAT IN D-I TRANSITION
Junior forward Mohammed Kamara, in his first Division I season after transferring from Tyler Junior College where he scored 70 goals and won two national championships in two seasons, has transitioned seamlessly if his first three games are any indication. He opened with a highlight-reel goal against Coastal Carolina (see below) then led the Bruins to a 2-0 win over San Diego on Sept. 2 with a brace. His three goals rank second in the Pac-12 and 21st in the country. He has shown he's not shy about having a go at goal, as he leads the league and is third nationally with a 4.67 shots per game average.
HOT START
UCLA kicked off its season with a 2-0 start, totaling six goals while keeping their opponents off the board. Senior keeper Cole Martinez totaled four saves in those games while maintaining a pair of clean sheets. It was UCLA's first 2-0 start since 2014.
STANDOUT DEBUT FOR HUNDLEY
Freshman midfielder Matt Hundley could scarcely have hoped for a better Division I debut, as the Littleton, Colo. native scored the team's first two goals and assisted on another for five points at Coastal Carolina. What's more, he narrowly missed out on a hat trick as he had a shot roll just wide of the post in the sixth minute. With the outburst, he becomes:
• Just the thrid Bruin in the last three years to notch five points in a single game (Alex Knox and Mohammed Kamara
• The first to do so on Opening Day since current assistant coach Matt Taylor notched a hat trick in the opening game of the 2003 season
• The only UCLA frosh this millenium to grab five points on Opening Day.
KAMARA MAKES A CAMEO ON SPORTSCENTER
Junior forward and 2017 NJCAA National Player of the Year Mohammed Kamara's debut Division I goal caught the eyes of sports fans across the country, as his moonshot chip was featured as the No. 2 play on Friday night's Sportscenter Top 10. To view the goal for yourself, head to the @UCLAMSoccer Twitter account.
SCOUTING THE TERRAPINS
Maryland is a winless 0-1-2 so far this season, but all three of their games have come against high-ranked opponents (Washington, Stanford, Virginia). The Terrapins have not scored a goal yet this year, but have battled to scoreless draws in their last two contests. UMD regularly ranks near the summit of the attendance race for men's soccer, and they currently lead the pack with an average draw of 5,802. Top returners include forward Sebastian Elney, who potted golden goals against UCLA in both 2015 and 2017, senior midfielder Amar Sejdic, and All-Big Ten defender Donovan Pines.
THE ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST UMD
UCLA is 3-6-2 all-time against Maryland, with all meetings coming in the 21st century. The Bruins and Terps have met the last three years in a row, with UCLA going 0-2-1 in those contests. The Bruins' last win at Ludwig Field came in 2009 and is the only victory against UMD on that field in school history. UCLA's first-ever victory over Maryland came at the 2002 College Cup, as the Bruins knocked off UMD 2-1 before topping Stanford for the NCAA crown.
BRUINS BRING IN NATION'S TOP RECRUITING CLASS
Featuring four of the top-20 ranked academy players in the country, UCLA's 2018 recruiting class was deemed the best in the country by Top Drawer Soccer. This is the seventh time under Salcedo that UCLA has brought in the top class in the nation. Standouts include 2017 NJCAA National Player of the Year Mohammed Kamara (Monrovia, Liberia / Tyler JC) and freshmen Frankie Amaya (No. 6 national prospect / Santa Ana, Calif. / Pateadores Academy), Justin Garces (No. 16 prospect / Miami, Fla. / Atlanta United Academy), Matt Hundley (No. 18 prospect / Littleton, Colo / Colorado Rapids Academy), and AJ Vasquez (No. 19 prospect / Mira Loma, Calif. / FC Golden State Academy), all of whom have national team experience. Other heralded newcomers include freshman midfielder Cody Sundquist, Santa Monica City College transfer Carlos Rincon, freshman defender Paul Caspar, and Division I transfers Alexis Triadis (MF, Hartford) and Aristides Costeas (GK, St. John's).
HOLT RECEIVES PLENTY OF PRESEASON RECOGNITION
One of UCLA's top returners, senior defender Erik Holt received plenty of preseason publicity ahead of his last season in Westwood. Chiefly, he was named to the MAC Hermann Award Watch List. The MAC Hermann Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. Past Bruin winners include Leo Stolz (2014), Sasha Victorine (1999), and Brad Friedel (1992). In addition, Holt was selected to the College Soccer News Preseason All-America Third Team.
HOLT'S HELPERS
Erik Holt recorded assists on both of Kamara's goals against USD, giving him the first multi-assist game of his career. With those pair of assists, Holt enters the weekend tied for the conference lead.
KEEPING THEM OUT
Senior Cole Martinez started between the pipes in UCLA's first two games, and freshman Justin Garces made his NCAA debut against USF, and both have impressed. Martinez is one of 10 qualifying goalies in the NCAA with a perfect save percentage and goals against average. Garces, the top goalkeeping recruit in his class and a past member of the U.S. U-20 MNT, made three saves against the Dons.
FROSH PAIR MAKE TOP DRAWER PRESEASON BEST XI
Goalkeeper Justin Garces and midfielder Matt Hundley both were named to the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Freshman Best XI. With two selections, UCLA was the lone program in the country to have two players on the Best XI. Washington (Ethan Bartlow, Defender) was the only other Pac-12 school represented.Two key members of the top recruiting class in the country, both Garces and Hundley have significant experience with the U.S. National Team. Both were members of the U-17 Residency Program, and both ended their academy careers inside the top-20 of the IMG Academy Top-150, with Garces coming in at No. 16 and Hundley at No. 18.
PAIR OF BRUINS MAKE PRESEASON ALL-PAC-12 TEAM, UCLA PICKED TO FINISH THIRD
Erik Holt and Anderson Asiedu were both named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 Team. Normally an 11-man team, the 2018 iteration featured 12 players as the there was a tie for the 11th and final spot. Asiedu was a Second Team All-Pac-12 choice last year after recording two goals and two assists for four points. In the annual preseason coaches poll, UCLA was picked to finish third in the Pac-12. The Bruins were one of two teams to receive first place votes. Stanford, which took five first place votes and received 25 overall points, was selected to finish on top. Washington received one more point (19) than UCLA in the poll.
HOLT, ASIEDU MAKE TOP DRAWER'S TOP-100
UCLA's two Preseason All-Pac-12 picks were both also tabbed to Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Top 100 player rankings. Holt, a Preseason All-American and Mac Hermann Watch List member, came in at No. 53. Asiedu cracked the list at No. 88. TDS hasn't released its Top 100 freshmen list as of Sept. 6, but the Bruins are bound to have multiple athletes included on that list.
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST MARYLAND
UCLA and Maryland met at Ludwig Field last year, with the Terrpains pulling out a 3-2 win via a 98th minute golden goal from Sebastian Elney. The Bruins never led in the match, but were in the thick of the contest throughout. Erik Holt equalized for UCLA in the 68th minute, banging home a first-touch volley on a ball bouncing around in the box for his first career goal. After UMD re-claimed the lead in the 73rd, Brian Illoski equalized again, scoring on a free kick from just outside the 18 in the 80th minute.
No. 14 UCLA (2-1-0) vs. Maryland (0-1-2)
Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 – 4:00 p.m. PT
Location: College Park, Md. (Ludwig Field)
Television/Stream: Big Ten Network
Live Stats: UCLABruins.com
Twitter Updates: @UCLAMSoccer
BRUINS FLY EAST FOR NEAR-ANNUAL SHOWDOWN WITH MARYLAND
This week UCLA makes its second trip to the east coast in the first three weeks of the season, facing Maryland on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). The Bruins opened the season with a 4-0 win at then-No. 18 Coastal Carolina on Aug. 24. UCLA will be looking to improve on its fortunes at Ludwig Field, where they are just 1-4-1 against the Terrapins. This if the fourth consecutive year in which the Bruins and Terps will face off, and the 12th time since 2001. The match will be televised/streamed on the Big Ten Network. Live stats and a stream link will be available through UCLABruins.com.
WEEK IN REVIEW
After a strong 2-0 start to the season, UCLA picked up its first loss of 2018 on Sunday, Sept. 2 at the hands of San Francisco, which took a 1-0 decision at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The Bruins outshot the Dons 18-9 and had several chances to score, but ultimately couldn't find the back of the net despite hitting the post/crossbar three times and producing a trio of Grade-A opportunities for junior forward Mohammed Kamara. USF scored the lone goal of the contest on a quick counter, with Jorge Ruiz making a run down the right wing and then threading a pass through the middle for Sean Bowman, who calmly slipped it past UCLA freshman keeper Justin Garces, who was making his NCAA debut. USF jumped from unranked to No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll after the contest.
WALLIS ANNENBERG STADIUM OPENS FOR 2018 SEASON
After playing home games at Drake Stadium from 2000-17, the UCLA soccer teams have moved into a new home, Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The stadium, which seats 2,145, is located at the previously-named North Athletic Field, where UCLA played selected home games from 1967-99. The stadium was made possible thanks to a $5 million lead gift from the Annenberg Foundation. The just-completed first phase of the stadium project includes grandstands and a press box on the west side, a Daktronics LED video board and Musco Sports lighting. Future phases of the stadium project may include expanded seating, a training room, student-athlete locker room, coaches' locker rooms, meeting spaces, ticketing space, and a new press box.
IN THE POLLS
UCLA remained in each of the major polls this week. The Bruins are ranked as high as No. 14 (Top Drawer Soccer), but were also included in the top-25 for Top Drawer Soccer (No. 16) and College Soccer News (No. 18). UCLA was left out of the top-25 of the United Soccer Coaches poll this week after being tabbed at a season-high No. 8 last week, but received the second-most votes of schools outside the top-25. This week's opponent, Maryland, is unranked. Two of the Bruins' three opponents this year are ranked (CCU, USF), three if you include Grand Canyon (preseason exhibition). In the United Soccer Coaches Far West poll, UCLA is ranked No. 4 (tops among Pac-12 schools).
DEFENSE FIRST MENTALITY
UCLA has been among the best in the nation at keeping the ball out of its own net so far this season, allowing just one goal over the team's first three games. The Bruins' current team goals against average of 0.33 ranks 12th in the nation, and they are one of just three west coast schools inside the top-20. Historically, this is the first time since 2013 and just the second time in the Jorge Salcedo era (since 2004) that UCLA recorded shut outs in its first two games. The Bruins have allowed just one goal against through the first three games of a season for the first time since 2000.
AMAYA CALLED UP TO U-20 NATIONAL TEAM
UCLA freshman midfielder Frankie Amaya received a call-up the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team this week. He will join the squad after the Bruins' contest at Maryland and be available for tournament games at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. on Sept. 9 (against the U.S. U-19 squad) and Sept. 11 (vs. Venezuela). Amaya made his debut with the U-20s earlier this year, participating in a two-week training camp in Spain, scoring a goal against France, and playing against the Atletico Madrid U-21 team. The U-20s are in the middle of the 2019 World Cup cycle with the CONCACAF U-20 championship on the horizon in November.
KAMARA DOESN'T MISS A BEAT IN D-I TRANSITION
Junior forward Mohammed Kamara, in his first Division I season after transferring from Tyler Junior College where he scored 70 goals and won two national championships in two seasons, has transitioned seamlessly if his first three games are any indication. He opened with a highlight-reel goal against Coastal Carolina (see below) then led the Bruins to a 2-0 win over San Diego on Sept. 2 with a brace. His three goals rank second in the Pac-12 and 21st in the country. He has shown he's not shy about having a go at goal, as he leads the league and is third nationally with a 4.67 shots per game average.
HOT START
UCLA kicked off its season with a 2-0 start, totaling six goals while keeping their opponents off the board. Senior keeper Cole Martinez totaled four saves in those games while maintaining a pair of clean sheets. It was UCLA's first 2-0 start since 2014.
STANDOUT DEBUT FOR HUNDLEY
Freshman midfielder Matt Hundley could scarcely have hoped for a better Division I debut, as the Littleton, Colo. native scored the team's first two goals and assisted on another for five points at Coastal Carolina. What's more, he narrowly missed out on a hat trick as he had a shot roll just wide of the post in the sixth minute. With the outburst, he becomes:
• Just the thrid Bruin in the last three years to notch five points in a single game (Alex Knox and Mohammed Kamara
• The first to do so on Opening Day since current assistant coach Matt Taylor notched a hat trick in the opening game of the 2003 season
• The only UCLA frosh this millenium to grab five points on Opening Day.
KAMARA MAKES A CAMEO ON SPORTSCENTER
Junior forward and 2017 NJCAA National Player of the Year Mohammed Kamara's debut Division I goal caught the eyes of sports fans across the country, as his moonshot chip was featured as the No. 2 play on Friday night's Sportscenter Top 10. To view the goal for yourself, head to the @UCLAMSoccer Twitter account.
SCOUTING THE TERRAPINS
Maryland is a winless 0-1-2 so far this season, but all three of their games have come against high-ranked opponents (Washington, Stanford, Virginia). The Terrapins have not scored a goal yet this year, but have battled to scoreless draws in their last two contests. UMD regularly ranks near the summit of the attendance race for men's soccer, and they currently lead the pack with an average draw of 5,802. Top returners include forward Sebastian Elney, who potted golden goals against UCLA in both 2015 and 2017, senior midfielder Amar Sejdic, and All-Big Ten defender Donovan Pines.
THE ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST UMD
UCLA is 3-6-2 all-time against Maryland, with all meetings coming in the 21st century. The Bruins and Terps have met the last three years in a row, with UCLA going 0-2-1 in those contests. The Bruins' last win at Ludwig Field came in 2009 and is the only victory against UMD on that field in school history. UCLA's first-ever victory over Maryland came at the 2002 College Cup, as the Bruins knocked off UMD 2-1 before topping Stanford for the NCAA crown.
BRUINS BRING IN NATION'S TOP RECRUITING CLASS
Featuring four of the top-20 ranked academy players in the country, UCLA's 2018 recruiting class was deemed the best in the country by Top Drawer Soccer. This is the seventh time under Salcedo that UCLA has brought in the top class in the nation. Standouts include 2017 NJCAA National Player of the Year Mohammed Kamara (Monrovia, Liberia / Tyler JC) and freshmen Frankie Amaya (No. 6 national prospect / Santa Ana, Calif. / Pateadores Academy), Justin Garces (No. 16 prospect / Miami, Fla. / Atlanta United Academy), Matt Hundley (No. 18 prospect / Littleton, Colo / Colorado Rapids Academy), and AJ Vasquez (No. 19 prospect / Mira Loma, Calif. / FC Golden State Academy), all of whom have national team experience. Other heralded newcomers include freshman midfielder Cody Sundquist, Santa Monica City College transfer Carlos Rincon, freshman defender Paul Caspar, and Division I transfers Alexis Triadis (MF, Hartford) and Aristides Costeas (GK, St. John's).
HOLT RECEIVES PLENTY OF PRESEASON RECOGNITION
One of UCLA's top returners, senior defender Erik Holt received plenty of preseason publicity ahead of his last season in Westwood. Chiefly, he was named to the MAC Hermann Award Watch List. The MAC Hermann Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. Past Bruin winners include Leo Stolz (2014), Sasha Victorine (1999), and Brad Friedel (1992). In addition, Holt was selected to the College Soccer News Preseason All-America Third Team.
HOLT'S HELPERS
Erik Holt recorded assists on both of Kamara's goals against USD, giving him the first multi-assist game of his career. With those pair of assists, Holt enters the weekend tied for the conference lead.
KEEPING THEM OUT
Senior Cole Martinez started between the pipes in UCLA's first two games, and freshman Justin Garces made his NCAA debut against USF, and both have impressed. Martinez is one of 10 qualifying goalies in the NCAA with a perfect save percentage and goals against average. Garces, the top goalkeeping recruit in his class and a past member of the U.S. U-20 MNT, made three saves against the Dons.
FROSH PAIR MAKE TOP DRAWER PRESEASON BEST XI
Goalkeeper Justin Garces and midfielder Matt Hundley both were named to the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Freshman Best XI. With two selections, UCLA was the lone program in the country to have two players on the Best XI. Washington (Ethan Bartlow, Defender) was the only other Pac-12 school represented.Two key members of the top recruiting class in the country, both Garces and Hundley have significant experience with the U.S. National Team. Both were members of the U-17 Residency Program, and both ended their academy careers inside the top-20 of the IMG Academy Top-150, with Garces coming in at No. 16 and Hundley at No. 18.
PAIR OF BRUINS MAKE PRESEASON ALL-PAC-12 TEAM, UCLA PICKED TO FINISH THIRD
Erik Holt and Anderson Asiedu were both named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 Team. Normally an 11-man team, the 2018 iteration featured 12 players as the there was a tie for the 11th and final spot. Asiedu was a Second Team All-Pac-12 choice last year after recording two goals and two assists for four points. In the annual preseason coaches poll, UCLA was picked to finish third in the Pac-12. The Bruins were one of two teams to receive first place votes. Stanford, which took five first place votes and received 25 overall points, was selected to finish on top. Washington received one more point (19) than UCLA in the poll.
HOLT, ASIEDU MAKE TOP DRAWER'S TOP-100
UCLA's two Preseason All-Pac-12 picks were both also tabbed to Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Top 100 player rankings. Holt, a Preseason All-American and Mac Hermann Watch List member, came in at No. 53. Asiedu cracked the list at No. 88. TDS hasn't released its Top 100 freshmen list as of Sept. 6, but the Bruins are bound to have multiple athletes included on that list.
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST MARYLAND
UCLA and Maryland met at Ludwig Field last year, with the Terrpains pulling out a 3-2 win via a 98th minute golden goal from Sebastian Elney. The Bruins never led in the match, but were in the thick of the contest throughout. Erik Holt equalized for UCLA in the 68th minute, banging home a first-touch volley on a ball bouncing around in the box for his first career goal. After UMD re-claimed the lead in the 73rd, Brian Illoski equalized again, scoring on a free kick from just outside the 18 in the 80th minute.
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