Friday, September 2
Los Angeles, CA
7:00 PM
UCLA
vs
Liberty
Aaron Edwards (photo: Jesus Ramirez)
Photo by: Jesus Ramirez
No. 4 UCLA Continues Homestand, Hosts Liberty
September 01, 2022 | Men's Soccer
No. 4 UCLA (2-0-0) vs. Liberty (1-0-1)
Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 2 - 7:00 p.m. (PT)
Location: Los Angeles, Calif. (Wallis Annenberg Stadium)
Stream: Pac-12.com / Pac-12 Now app
Stream Talent: Nick Koop
Live Stats
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets: uclabruins.com/tickets (all tickets are digital)
UCLA students free with BruinCard
Parking: purchase in advance on Park Mobile app
UCLA CONTINUES HOMESTAND AGAINST LIBERTY, GRAND CANYON
After opening up the year with a pair of 1-0 victories, the Bruins continue a season-opening four-game homestand by hosting Liberty on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. and Grand Canyon on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. The former will be streamed through Pac-12 Plus, while the latter will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks. Fans can also follow along with live stats and updates via the team Twitter account, @UCLAMSoccer.
IN THE POLLS
UCLA appeared in every major national poll this week, checking in as high as No. 4 (United Soccer Coaches) and also appearing at No. 14 (TopDrawerSoccer) and No. 15 (College Soccer News). Some notes on the Bruins' No. 4 ranking:
UCLA opened its season last week with a pair of 1-0 home victories, taking down UC Irvine on Aug. 25 before taking care of Virginia Tech on Aug. 28. The Bruins had a sizable majority in possession in both games, and didn't concede a shot on goal in either affair. Kevin Diaz notched the game-winner against UCI, getting his head on a cross after Tommy Silva played a short corner to Jose Sosa in the 52nd minute. Jose Contell found the back of the net late against the Hokies, getting his foot on a Silva cross after a nice run through the midfield from Tarun Karumanchi set up Silva's ball. Nate Crockford notched shutouts in both games.
GOOD START
UCLA is 2-0-0 to start a season for the first time since 2018, and for just the third time since 2005. It's the second consecutive year jumping out the gate for the Bruins, whose 6-2-0 start last fall was the program's best eight-game start since 2009.
NO GOALS FOR YOU
Last week, UCLA recorded back-to-back shutouts...
Not only did the Bruins not allow a goal last week, they didn't even allow a shot on goal:
UCLA returns the vast majority of its offensive production from a season ago, including:
UCLA was well-represented on TopDrawerSoccer's Team of the Week, as left back Tommy Silva made the top XI while center back Aaron Edwards and forward Jose Contell were honorable mentions. UCLA's three honorees were by far the most in the country, as no other school had more than one player listed.
GRASSI NAMED TO HERMANN TROPHY WATCH LIST
UCLA sophomore Pietro Grassi was one of 38 players tabbed to the Hermann Trophy Watch List before the season. The center back was the lone underclassman to make the list, and is one of just two honorees from the Pac-12 Conference. UCLA has had two Hermann Trophy winners all-time in Leo Stolz (2014) and Sasha Victorine (1993). The last Bruin to make the Hermann Watch List was defender Erik Holt in 2018.
UCLA TAKES HOME NCAA PHOTO OF THE WEEK
In addition to its on-field success, UCLA scored a win in the social media realm as well last week, as Ross Turteltaub's shot of Jose Contell doing a backflip after scoring his game-winning goal against Virginia Tech was voted as the NCAA Photo of the Week on Instagram. Head to @UCLAMSoccer on Instagram to view the photo.
BRUINS AGAINST THE ASUN CONFERENCE
UCLA has played just one game all-time against current members of the ASUN Conference (of which Liberty is a member), a tightly-contested 1-0 loss to Lipscomb to open the fall 2021 season (Aug. 26, 2021). The Bruins have never faced the other members: FGCU, Jacksonville, Bellarmine, Central Arkansas, Stetson, North Florida, and Queens (N.C.).
SILVA IS SERVING
Tommy Silva has been piling up the "A'"s so far this season, picking up an assist on both of UCLA's game-winning goals last week. He is the lone player in the Pac-12 Conference thus far with multiple helpers. Silva also provided the primary assist on both of UCLA's scores in a 2-0 exhibition win over Westmont earlier this summer. The Tucson, Ariz. native is sitting on nine career assists over 33 games, including a co-team-high four apples during the spring 2021 campaign.
KEEPING IT CLOSE
The Bruins have shown a penchant for close games in recent times. Dating back to last season, UCLA has had 16 of the last 20 games (and 12 of the last 14) decided by one goal or fewer.
UCLA IN SEASON OPENERS
The Bruins are 41-9-6 all-time in season openers after last week's victory against UCI. The Bruins are 3-1 in season-openers under Ryan Jorden, and have lost just once on Opening Day since 2012.
HOME COOKING
The Bruins have been tough to beat at home of late, going 13-3 over the last 16 games at Wallis Annenberg Stadium (16-3-1 counting exhibitions). UCLA was 9-3 (.750) at home last fall, the program's first time posting a win percentage north of 60% at home since the 2015 season (also 9-3).
TOUGH ROAD
UCLA has routinely played one of the toughest schedules in the country under head coach Ryan Jorden, finishing each of the last three seasons in the top-20 nationwide in strength-of-schedule. The Bruins ranked No. 14 in the country in SOS last fall (.610), No. 20 in spring 2021 (.588, and they were top-10 at the end of the regular season), and No. 12 in 2019 (.609).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UCLA had three players named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch lists ahead of the 2022 season:
UCLA had three players named to TopDrawerSoccer's rankings of the top-100 players to watch in the country: Tommy Silva (No. 48), Tucker Lepley (No. 68), and Nicolas Blassou (No. 96). The Bruins' three listees were the most in the Pac-12 and tied for second most in the country, trailing only Pitt's five.
UCLA PICKED THIRD IN PAC-12 PRESEASON COACHES POLL
UCLA was tabbed to finish third in the league's annual preseason coaches poll. The Bruins garnered a pair of first-place votes, tied for the most of any team in the conference. UCLA totaled 18 points in the poll, just behind co-favorites OSU and Washington.
UCLA went an unbeaten 1-0-1 in preseason play this summer, defeating NAIA-member Westmont 2-0 on Aug. 15 before battling to a scoreless draw against UNLV on Aug. 20. Junior forward Andre Ochoa and senior winger Constantinos Michaelides both found the back of the net in the first half against the Warriors, with junior left back Tommy Silva providing the primary assist on both tallies. A combined 43 players saw the pitch in that contest. Redshirt senior mid Jose Sosa and redshirt senior forward Kevin Diaz both had Grade-A scoring chances against UNLV, as the Bruins outshot the visitors 17-1 for the contest (including 17 uncontested shot attempts to close the game).
2021 IN REVIEW
As of the start of the 2022 college season, UCLA has eight alumni on the rosters of MLS clubs alongside former defender Reggie Cannon, who plays for Boavista F.C. in the Portuguese top flight. UCLA's MLS alums include former No. 1 overall SuperDraft picks Frankie Amaya (NY Red Bulls) and Abu Danladi (Minnesota United FC), league veterans Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC), Kelyn Rowe (Seattle Sounders), Jonathan Bornstein (Chicago Fire), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes), and Earl Edwards Jr. (New England Revolution), as well as 2019 draftee Erik Holt (Real Salt Lake).
SUCCESSFUL SIX
In 2022 UCLA returns each of its top-six scorers from a year ago, including:
Stay up-to-date on all things UCLA men's soccer by following @UCLAMSoccer on Instagram and Twitter. The Bruins rank second in the country among men's soccer programs in Instagram followers.
Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 2 - 7:00 p.m. (PT)
Location: Los Angeles, Calif. (Wallis Annenberg Stadium)
Stream: Pac-12.com / Pac-12 Now app
Stream Talent: Nick Koop
Live Stats
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets: uclabruins.com/tickets (all tickets are digital)
UCLA students free with BruinCard
Parking: purchase in advance on Park Mobile app
UCLA CONTINUES HOMESTAND AGAINST LIBERTY, GRAND CANYON
After opening up the year with a pair of 1-0 victories, the Bruins continue a season-opening four-game homestand by hosting Liberty on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. and Grand Canyon on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. The former will be streamed through Pac-12 Plus, while the latter will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks. Fans can also follow along with live stats and updates via the team Twitter account, @UCLAMSoccer.
IN THE POLLS
UCLA appeared in every major national poll this week, checking in as high as No. 4 (United Soccer Coaches) and also appearing at No. 14 (TopDrawerSoccer) and No. 15 (College Soccer News). Some notes on the Bruins' No. 4 ranking:
- This is the highest UCLA has been ranked since being No. 1 on Sept. 1, 2015 (week one of that season)
- It's the first time that both the UCLA men and women (No. 3) have both been ranked top-five since the 2015 preseason poll
- Four Pac-12 schools are ranked inside the top-10 (No. 3 Stanford, No. 8 Washington, No. 10 Oregon State) for just the second time in history (Sept. 1, 2015)
- It's the first time four Pac schools have been in the top-25 since Aug. 28, 2018
UCLA opened its season last week with a pair of 1-0 home victories, taking down UC Irvine on Aug. 25 before taking care of Virginia Tech on Aug. 28. The Bruins had a sizable majority in possession in both games, and didn't concede a shot on goal in either affair. Kevin Diaz notched the game-winner against UCI, getting his head on a cross after Tommy Silva played a short corner to Jose Sosa in the 52nd minute. Jose Contell found the back of the net late against the Hokies, getting his foot on a Silva cross after a nice run through the midfield from Tarun Karumanchi set up Silva's ball. Nate Crockford notched shutouts in both games.
GOOD START
UCLA is 2-0-0 to start a season for the first time since 2018, and for just the third time since 2005. It's the second consecutive year jumping out the gate for the Bruins, whose 6-2-0 start last fall was the program's best eight-game start since 2009.
NO GOALS FOR YOU
Last week, UCLA recorded back-to-back shutouts...
- For the first time ever under fourth-year head coach Ryan Jorden
- For the first time overall since Oct. 4-7, 2018 (vs. Washington and Oregon State, respectively)
- The Bruins haven't kept a clean sheet in three consecutive games since Sept. 12-20, 2014
- UCLA is one of just 36 teams in the country with no goals against, only 10 of which have played 2+ games
Not only did the Bruins not allow a goal last week, they didn't even allow a shot on goal:
- First time allowing zero shots on goal in a game since Oct. 7, 2018 vs. Oregon State
- First time allowing 0 SOG in consecutive games since at least 1999 (the years in which single-game box scores are available)
- UCLA allowed 0 SOG twice in a three-game span in 2011
- UCLA is the only school in the country with 0 SOG against so far in 2022
- Including exhibition games, UCLA has allowed just 2 SOGs total in four games
UCLA returns the vast majority of its offensive production from a season ago, including:
- 31 of 33 goals (94%)
- 36 of 42 assists (86%)
- 98 of 108 points (91%)
- 10 of 11 game-winning goals (91%)
- Seven of 10 outfield starters
- The top six, and nine of the top 10, scorers from a year ago (on points)
UCLA was well-represented on TopDrawerSoccer's Team of the Week, as left back Tommy Silva made the top XI while center back Aaron Edwards and forward Jose Contell were honorable mentions. UCLA's three honorees were by far the most in the country, as no other school had more than one player listed.
GRASSI NAMED TO HERMANN TROPHY WATCH LIST
UCLA sophomore Pietro Grassi was one of 38 players tabbed to the Hermann Trophy Watch List before the season. The center back was the lone underclassman to make the list, and is one of just two honorees from the Pac-12 Conference. UCLA has had two Hermann Trophy winners all-time in Leo Stolz (2014) and Sasha Victorine (1993). The last Bruin to make the Hermann Watch List was defender Erik Holt in 2018.
UCLA TAKES HOME NCAA PHOTO OF THE WEEK
In addition to its on-field success, UCLA scored a win in the social media realm as well last week, as Ross Turteltaub's shot of Jose Contell doing a backflip after scoring his game-winning goal against Virginia Tech was voted as the NCAA Photo of the Week on Instagram. Head to @UCLAMSoccer on Instagram to view the photo.
BRUINS AGAINST THE ASUN CONFERENCE
UCLA has played just one game all-time against current members of the ASUN Conference (of which Liberty is a member), a tightly-contested 1-0 loss to Lipscomb to open the fall 2021 season (Aug. 26, 2021). The Bruins have never faced the other members: FGCU, Jacksonville, Bellarmine, Central Arkansas, Stetson, North Florida, and Queens (N.C.).
SILVA IS SERVING
Tommy Silva has been piling up the "A'"s so far this season, picking up an assist on both of UCLA's game-winning goals last week. He is the lone player in the Pac-12 Conference thus far with multiple helpers. Silva also provided the primary assist on both of UCLA's scores in a 2-0 exhibition win over Westmont earlier this summer. The Tucson, Ariz. native is sitting on nine career assists over 33 games, including a co-team-high four apples during the spring 2021 campaign.
KEEPING IT CLOSE
The Bruins have shown a penchant for close games in recent times. Dating back to last season, UCLA has had 16 of the last 20 games (and 12 of the last 14) decided by one goal or fewer.
UCLA IN SEASON OPENERS
The Bruins are 41-9-6 all-time in season openers after last week's victory against UCI. The Bruins are 3-1 in season-openers under Ryan Jorden, and have lost just once on Opening Day since 2012.
HOME COOKING
The Bruins have been tough to beat at home of late, going 13-3 over the last 16 games at Wallis Annenberg Stadium (16-3-1 counting exhibitions). UCLA was 9-3 (.750) at home last fall, the program's first time posting a win percentage north of 60% at home since the 2015 season (also 9-3).
TOUGH ROAD
UCLA has routinely played one of the toughest schedules in the country under head coach Ryan Jorden, finishing each of the last three seasons in the top-20 nationwide in strength-of-schedule. The Bruins ranked No. 14 in the country in SOS last fall (.610), No. 20 in spring 2021 (.588, and they were top-10 at the end of the regular season), and No. 12 in 2019 (.609).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UCLA had three players named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch lists ahead of the 2022 season:
- Tucker Lepley (M) - Led the team in scoring last year, earning second team all-region and First Team All-Freshman honors
- Pietro Grassi (D) - Was a first team all-region pick as a true freshman after playing a team-high 1,708 minutes in 2021
- Nicolas Blassou (D) - In each of the last two seasons, led American in minutes played and earned All-Patriot League honors
- UCLA was the lone school in the country with multiple defenders selected to the Players to Watch list
UCLA had three players named to TopDrawerSoccer's rankings of the top-100 players to watch in the country: Tommy Silva (No. 48), Tucker Lepley (No. 68), and Nicolas Blassou (No. 96). The Bruins' three listees were the most in the Pac-12 and tied for second most in the country, trailing only Pitt's five.
UCLA PICKED THIRD IN PAC-12 PRESEASON COACHES POLL
UCLA was tabbed to finish third in the league's annual preseason coaches poll. The Bruins garnered a pair of first-place votes, tied for the most of any team in the conference. UCLA totaled 18 points in the poll, just behind co-favorites OSU and Washington.
- Oregon State (2) - 21 points
- Washington (1) - 21 points
- UCLA (2) - 18 points
- Stanford - 14 points
- San Diego State - 10 points
- California - 6 points
UCLA went an unbeaten 1-0-1 in preseason play this summer, defeating NAIA-member Westmont 2-0 on Aug. 15 before battling to a scoreless draw against UNLV on Aug. 20. Junior forward Andre Ochoa and senior winger Constantinos Michaelides both found the back of the net in the first half against the Warriors, with junior left back Tommy Silva providing the primary assist on both tallies. A combined 43 players saw the pitch in that contest. Redshirt senior mid Jose Sosa and redshirt senior forward Kevin Diaz both had Grade-A scoring chances against UNLV, as the Bruins outshot the visitors 17-1 for the contest (including 17 uncontested shot attempts to close the game).
2021 IN REVIEW
- UCLA went 11-7-1, clinching an at-large NCAA Tournament berth and ultimately reaching the second round of the tourney
- UCLA's 11 wins, +8 goal differential, third-place league finish, Second Round NCAA finish were all bests since 2015
- The Bruins went 6-2-0 to start the year, the program's best eight-game start since 2009
- UCLA led the Pac-12 in assists per game (2.2), fewest fouls per game (9.3), and shot accuracy (48%)
- The Bruins finished the year ranked No. 24 (TopDrawerSoccer) and No. 25 (United Soccer Coaches) in the final polls
- Signature victories included a 3-2 win over then-No. 1 Oregon State on Nov. 7, and a golden goal win over UCSB in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
- UCLA had three separate three-game winning streaks, and posted a 9-3-0 overall record at home
- The Bruins had four-all region picks, their most since 2015, highlighted by first teamer Pietro Grassi
As of the start of the 2022 college season, UCLA has eight alumni on the rosters of MLS clubs alongside former defender Reggie Cannon, who plays for Boavista F.C. in the Portuguese top flight. UCLA's MLS alums include former No. 1 overall SuperDraft picks Frankie Amaya (NY Red Bulls) and Abu Danladi (Minnesota United FC), league veterans Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC), Kelyn Rowe (Seattle Sounders), Jonathan Bornstein (Chicago Fire), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes), and Earl Edwards Jr. (New England Revolution), as well as 2019 draftee Erik Holt (Real Salt Lake).
SUCCESSFUL SIX
In 2022 UCLA returns each of its top-six scorers from a year ago, including:
- Tucker Lepley: Led UCLA and all Pac-12 freshmen in points (17) ... Voted Team MVP ... First Team All-Freshman pick
- Jose Contell: 5G, 6A, 16P ... Led team in shots (30) ... Had a goal or assist in nine of 18 games last year
- Kevin Diaz: 6G, 4A, 16P ... Co-led team in goals ... Voted team Offensive MVP ... All-Pac-12 honorable mention
- Tommy Silva: 6G, 4A, 16P ... Led team in GWG (4) ... All-Pac-12 2nd Team ... Had a pair of 5-point games last year
- Riley Ferch: 2G, 4A, 8P ... Has had 3+ assists, 8+ points each season at UCLA ... Co-led Pac-12 with 9 assists in 2019
- Aaron Edwards: 2G, 3A, 7P ... All-Pac honorable mention ... Nat. Player of the Week after 2-goal game vs. LMU (10/14/21)
Stay up-to-date on all things UCLA men's soccer by following @UCLAMSoccer on Instagram and Twitter. The Bruins rank second in the country among men's soccer programs in Instagram followers.
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