UCLA
6-2-1, 0-1-0
California
9-1-0, 1-0-0
Late Cal Goal Sinks Bruins, 2-1
September 27, 2019 | Women's Soccer
LOS ANGELES โ UCLA gave up a goal early and a back-breaking goal late in the game as California upset the seventh-ranked Bruins, 2-1, in front of a season-high crowd of 2,253 at UCLA's Wallis Annenberg Stadium.
The Golden Bears (9-1-0, 1-0-0 in the Pac-12) struck first at 5:52 after a corner kick bounced off a Bruin defender and down to the feet of Luca Deza in the box. Deza went top shelf to beat UCLA goalkeeper Teagan Micah for the early lead. The Bruins didn't wait long to answer, though. In the 11th minute, Ashley Sanchez was taken down inside the box to earn a penalty kick. Marley Canales converted her second penalty kick of the season and third goal of the year, to even the score at 1-1.
UCLA (6-2-1, 0-1-0) continued to pour the pressure on Cal, nearly scoring in the 16th minute on a shot by Karina Rodriguez and in the 17th minute on a header by Jessie Fleming. Both shots were saved by Cal goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. Sanchez also had a shot from point-blank range saved by Anderson in the 38th minute.
With the score knotted at 1-1 at the half, both teams pushed for the go-ahead goal. The Bruins had four straight corner kicks in the 61st-63rd minutes but were unable to convert. Lucy Parker had the best look during that stretch, when her header in the 62nd minute missed just high. UCLA had a 16-7 advantage in corner kicks and a 17-8 shot advantage but could not capitalize. The Bruins just barely missed high on a few shots in the second half, including one by Fleming in the 68th minute, another by Anika Rodriguez in the 79th and one by Sanchez in the 89th.
With under three minutes to play, California snatched the lead on a goal by Kailee Gifford. Abigail Kim used her speed on the right side to get free from the Bruin defense and send a cross into the box, finding Gifford, who one-timed it past Micah for her first goal of the year.
Anderson had three saves for the Bears, all in the first half. Micah had two for the Bruins, all in the second half.
UCLA will next play at Arizona on Thursday, Oct. 3.
Team Stats
Deza, Luca (4)
GOAL by CAL Deza, Luca (FIRST GOAL), goal number 4 for season.
5:52
Canales, Marley
UCLA Canales, Marley PENALTY KICK GOAL.
10:15
Gifford, Kailee (1)
Assisted By: Kim, Abigail
GOAL by CAL Gifford, Kailee, Assist by Kim, Abigail, goal number 1 for season.
87:17
