UCLA
6-3-3, 3-0-2
San Diego State
6-3-4, 0-3-2
Big Second Half Leads UCLA Past SDSU, 2-1
October 20, 2023 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA men's soccer rode a strong second half to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over San Diego State on Friday night at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.
With the result, the Bruins (6-3-3, 3-0-2 Pac-12) finished off the first half of their league schedule without losing a game. UCLA also moved atop the Pac-12 table, though second-place Oregon State is in action on Sunday while the Bruins are idle until next week.
Senior left back Tommy Silva notched an assist on both of UCLA's goals, which both came off second-half set pieces. Senior forward Andre Ochoa equalized for the Bruins off a free kick in the 47th, then junior center back Pietro Grassi headed home the game-winner off a corner in the 55th.
SDSU would get the lone goal of the first half in the 14th minute, capitalizing on a UCLA turnover in the middle of the park. That opportunity resulted in Jules Anderson played a perfectly-waited through ball for Rommee Jaridly, who calmly rounded UCLA freshman keeper Wyatt Nelson and slotted his finish into the open net.
The Bruins created their fair share of opportunities in the first half, taking seven shots while maintain the majority of possession. Midfielders Tucker Lepley and Sean Karani each had solid scoring opportunities turned away by SDSU keeper Logan Erb.
The second half would be all UCLA.
The Bruins equalized almost immediately after the halftime break ended, as Pablo Greenlee got clipped while making a run in the offensive third resulting in a deep free kick opportunity for UCLA. Off the free kick, Silva played a simple pass to Ochoa at the top of the 18, and he rifled in a strike to the top-right corner for his third goal of the season. For Ochoa, it also marked his second consecutive game against SDSU – his former team – with a goal.
47'| UCLA GOAL!
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) October 21, 2023
Andre Ochoa cracks a shot off the free kick from Tommy Silva into the top right-hand corner leveling the game at one-all!
UCLA 1, SDSU 1#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/eWzdmnAF2C
UCLA would go up shortly after that, as Grassi put away a 55th minute bulley header off a corner from Silva. Grassi's first goal of the campaign and second of his career came off an inswinging delivery from Silva, who picked up his second assist of the night and team-high seventh helper of the year.
55' | UCLA GOAL!!!!
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) October 21, 2023
Pietro Grassi gets on the end of a Tommy Silva corner kick and heads it into the back of the net giving the Bruins the lead.
The goal gives Silva his second assist of the night.
UCLA 2, SDSU 1#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/UthEH8U3Em
The Bruins remained in control for the remainder of the game, holding the Aztecs without a shot attempt for the entire second half. UCLA ended the game with a 15-3 advantage in shots. It also marked the Bruins' first win this season in a game which they conceded the first goal.
UCLA returns to action next week with league games against Washington on Thursday at 7 p.m. PT and against Oregon State on Sunday at 3 p.m. PT. Both contests will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Team Stats
Rommee Jaridly (4)
Assisted By: Jules Anderson
GOAL by SDSU Jaridly, Rommee Assist by Anderson, Jules.
13:48
Andre Ochoa (3)
Assisted By: Tommy Silva
GOAL by UCLA Ochoa, Andre Assist by Silva, Tommy.
46:33
Pietro Grassi (1)
Assisted By: Tommy Silva
GOAL by UCLA Grassi, Pietro Assist by Silva, Tommy.
54:49
