UCLA
3-4-1, 0-2-0
UC Irvine
2-4-3, 0-0-0
Bruins Draw With UC Irvine, 1-1
September 26, 2019 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA men's soccer team opened up an eight-game homestand on Thursday night with a 1-1 draw against UC Irvine at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.
The tie was the first for the Bruins (3-4-1) in nearly two years, as they last deadlocked with an opponent on Oct. 18, 2017 against New Mexico. UC Irvine's record moved to 2-4-3 after the draw.
Both of the game's goals came within quick succession, as Milan Iloski opened the scoring in the 26th minute before UCI equalized with the final goal of the game in the 29th.
The Anteaters would go on to outshoot the Bruins 13-9, but dangerous scoring chances were few-and-far between for both squads in the 110-minute affair.
Iloski took advantage of a UCI miscue to grab his team-high eighth goal of the year, pouncing on a short clearance and taking a couple touches to his left before hitting a perfectly-placed left-footed shot into the back of the net.
UCLA GOAL!
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) September 27, 2019
Milan Iloski finds the back of the net for the 8th time this year, picking off a clearance in the offensive third and drilling a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
Tune in here: https://t.co/hlimHHh9nF#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/2FyA0pMu9q
UCI responded just over three minutes later, as Alvaro Quezada received a pass from Eder Oliva on the left wing before making a nice inside move to get good position in the box for a shot. From there, Quezada snuck his drive inside the near post for a game-tying score.
UCLA keeper Justin Garces, who made four saves on the night, game up with a game-saving stop in the 58th minute, pushing aside an Oliva shot from 16 yards out on a partial breakaway.
Iloski had a solid chance to put the Bruins back ahead in the 69th minute, taking on his defender inside the box and getting a solid look after a fake shot cutback, but his goal-bound shot was blocked on the chest by a UCI defender.
Sophomore midfielder Cody Sundquist had the best look of the overtime period, putting in a tight-angle left footed shot that was gobbled up by UCI keeper Parker Ford in the 107th minute.
"I'm super proud of the energy and the effort put in by the team," said UCLA head coach Ryan Jorden. "We drew against a good team. We have to go back to the video and see if we can learn a couple lessons in organization – both on the attacking and defensive ends."
UCLA is off for the weekend, next playing on Tuesday against another Big West foe in UC Riverside.
Thursday marked the Centennial Celebration game for UCLA men's soccer, who wore special Centennial kits for the first time. Souvenir mosaic posters and pins were handed out to fans in attendance, celebrating UCLA's 100th year.
Team Stats
Iloski, Milan (8)
GOAL by UCLA Iloski, Milan (FIRST GOAL), goal number 8 for season.
25:49
Quezada, Alvaro (1)
Assisted By: Oliva, Eder
GOAL by UCI Quezada, Alvaro, Assist by Oliva, Eder, goal number 1 for season.
28:13
