Friday, November 10
San Diego, CA
7:00 PM
UCLA
9-3-5, 6-0-4
3
at
0
San Diego State
6-7-5, 0-7-3
1
2
F
UCLA
1
2
3
San Diego St.
0
0
0
No. 21 UCLA Beats San Diego State, 3-0
November 10, 2023 | Men's Soccer
SAN DIEGO – The No. 21 UCLA men's soccer team beat San Diego State 3-0 to conclude Pac-12 play on Friday evening at the SDSU Sports Deck. The Bruins claimed their first Pac-12 title under fifth-year head coach Ryan Jordan courtesy of goals by Tucker Lepley, Ryan Becher and Sean Karani.
The Bruins also went undefeated (6-0-4) in conference play. It marks the third occasion that UCLA has gone unbeaten in conference play. The Bruins were also undefeated in conference play in 2011 and 2003.
Tucker Lepley kicked things off in dramatic fashion on Friday night for UCLA (9-3-5, 6-0-4 Pac-12). The senior opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a perfect shot that curled into the top-left corner of the net to give UCLA a 1-0 lead.
Keeper Sam Joseph made two huge stops in back-to-back moments in the 22nd minute to keep the Aztecs off the board. The sophomore made a leaping stop before diving back across his goal to keep the second effort out and the Bruins up 1-0.
After that it was a quiet rest of the first half as the Bruins controlled the tempo of the game through the remainder of the period.
UCLA came out quick again to start the second half. This time it was Becher who got in on the action. The grad transfer dribbled through the Aztecs midfield and then his shot found the back of the net to give UCLA a 2-0 advantage just 49 seconds into the second half.
Sean Karani got the Bruins third of the night seven minutes later. After Jack Sarkos and Andre Ochoa both had their shots blocked from close range the ball bounced to Karani. He then shot the ball and it found the back of the net after hitting off an Aztec defender and the Bruins took a 3-0 lead and never looked back.
Joseph in goal for the Bruins notched a career-high seven saves on Friday night, while Ochoa led the UCLA attack with four shots and two assists on the night.
Up Next: By winning the Pac-12 title the Bruins have clinched an automatic birth in the NCAA tournament. UCLA will find out its opponent on Monday morning at 10 a.m. PT.
The Bruins also went undefeated (6-0-4) in conference play. It marks the third occasion that UCLA has gone unbeaten in conference play. The Bruins were also undefeated in conference play in 2011 and 2003.
Tucker Lepley kicked things off in dramatic fashion on Friday night for UCLA (9-3-5, 6-0-4 Pac-12). The senior opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a perfect shot that curled into the top-left corner of the net to give UCLA a 1-0 lead.
Keeper Sam Joseph made two huge stops in back-to-back moments in the 22nd minute to keep the Aztecs off the board. The sophomore made a leaping stop before diving back across his goal to keep the second effort out and the Bruins up 1-0.
After that it was a quiet rest of the first half as the Bruins controlled the tempo of the game through the remainder of the period.
UCLA came out quick again to start the second half. This time it was Becher who got in on the action. The grad transfer dribbled through the Aztecs midfield and then his shot found the back of the net to give UCLA a 2-0 advantage just 49 seconds into the second half.
Sean Karani got the Bruins third of the night seven minutes later. After Jack Sarkos and Andre Ochoa both had their shots blocked from close range the ball bounced to Karani. He then shot the ball and it found the back of the net after hitting off an Aztec defender and the Bruins took a 3-0 lead and never looked back.
Joseph in goal for the Bruins notched a career-high seven saves on Friday night, while Ochoa led the UCLA attack with four shots and two assists on the night.
Up Next: By winning the Pac-12 title the Bruins have clinched an automatic birth in the NCAA tournament. UCLA will find out its opponent on Monday morning at 10 a.m. PT.
Team Stats
UCL
SDS
Goals
3
0
Shots
17
13
Shots on Goal
8
7
Saves
7
2
Corners
3
7
Fouls
12
16
Scoring Plays
Tucker Lepley (3)
Assisted By: Andre Ochoa
GOAL by UCL Lepley, Tucker Assist by Ochoa, Andre.
06:23
Ryan Becher (5)
GOAL by UCL Becher, Ryan.
45:49
Sean Karani (5)
Assisted By: Andre Ochoa
GOAL by UCL Karani, Sean Assist by Ochoa, Andre.
52:42
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
2
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerUCLA Men's Soccer vs. Rutgers Recap
Monday, September 11
UCLA Men's Soccer vs. Rutgers Recap
Sunday, September 10
Jose Contell’s goal lifts UCLA past California in Los Angeles
Friday, October 21
Jose Contell, UCLA ’really happy’ after defeating Cal on special night
Friday, October 21