Friday, September 15
Los Angeles, CA
7:00 PM
UCLA
6-1-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
0
Pepperdine
2-2-5, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Pepperdine
0
0
0
UCLA
0
2
2
Val Vargas and Quincy McMahon scored for the Bruins in a 2-0 win over Pepperdine.
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Bruins Blank Waves, 2-0
September 15, 2023 | Women's Soccer
LOS ANGELES - No. 5 UCLA recorded its third consecutive shutout in a 2-0 victory over Pepperdine on Friday night at Wallis Annenberg Stadium, wrapping up non-conference play with a 6-1 record.
After a scoreless first half, the Bruins scored two goals in the second half to record their fifth shutout win of the year. Quincy McMahon and Val Vargas provided the offensive output with a pair of unassisted goals.
"It was a game that we needed, and we had the performance that we needed," said UCLA head coach Margueritte Aozasa. "It was probably one of our best performances by far and a very good game from start to finish. It's kind of what we hoped for in terms of gaining momentum going into conference (play). We still have some things to work on, but it's more fine-tuning, as opposed to big, glaring issues. I think we've progressed well over the last (seven) games."
UCLA had a 10-2 shot advantage in the first half, but neither team was able to put one in the back of the net. Reilyn Turner had an opportunity in the second minute, but her shot was saved by Pepperdine goalkeeper Taylor Rath. Pepperdine's best chance came in the ninth minute when the Waves (2-2-5) intercepted a pass in the box. With UCLA goalkeeper Neeku Purcell off her line, McMahon and the Bruin defense did well to disrupt the passes and send the ball safely out of danger before the Waves could get a shot off. Purcell made a save in the final seconds of the half on a free kick by Pepperdine midfielder Skylar Enge.
The Bruins continued to pressure the Waves in the second half. Graduate forward Ally Cook had a good look at goal in the 49th minute after a steal, but her shot missed high. Three minutes later, she sent a pass in to Lexi Wright, but Wright's shot just missed, hitting the post. Wright had another opportunity 20 seconds later, but her shot was saved by Taylor Rath.
McMahon broke the scoreless tie in the 54th minute when she took a midfield pass from Sunshine Fontes on the left side, dribbled up the field and into top of the box and fired a right-footed shot off the right post and in. The goal was her first of the season. ย
Vargas doubled up the Bruins' lead in the 63rd minute. The freshman forward chested down a bad clearance, settled it with her left and then fired a left-footed strike from about 25 yards out past Rath into the left corner for the second goal of her career.ย
UCLA senior Jordyn Gather, who has been unable to play in each of the last three seasons due to injuries, saw the first in-game action of her career, receiving the start in a brief appearance.
The Bruins will begin Pac-12 Conference play on Friday, Sept. 22 at Colorado.
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After a scoreless first half, the Bruins scored two goals in the second half to record their fifth shutout win of the year. Quincy McMahon and Val Vargas provided the offensive output with a pair of unassisted goals.
"It was a game that we needed, and we had the performance that we needed," said UCLA head coach Margueritte Aozasa. "It was probably one of our best performances by far and a very good game from start to finish. It's kind of what we hoped for in terms of gaining momentum going into conference (play). We still have some things to work on, but it's more fine-tuning, as opposed to big, glaring issues. I think we've progressed well over the last (seven) games."
UCLA had a 10-2 shot advantage in the first half, but neither team was able to put one in the back of the net. Reilyn Turner had an opportunity in the second minute, but her shot was saved by Pepperdine goalkeeper Taylor Rath. Pepperdine's best chance came in the ninth minute when the Waves (2-2-5) intercepted a pass in the box. With UCLA goalkeeper Neeku Purcell off her line, McMahon and the Bruin defense did well to disrupt the passes and send the ball safely out of danger before the Waves could get a shot off. Purcell made a save in the final seconds of the half on a free kick by Pepperdine midfielder Skylar Enge.
The Bruins continued to pressure the Waves in the second half. Graduate forward Ally Cook had a good look at goal in the 49th minute after a steal, but her shot missed high. Three minutes later, she sent a pass in to Lexi Wright, but Wright's shot just missed, hitting the post. Wright had another opportunity 20 seconds later, but her shot was saved by Taylor Rath.
McMahon broke the scoreless tie in the 54th minute when she took a midfield pass from Sunshine Fontes on the left side, dribbled up the field and into top of the box and fired a right-footed shot off the right post and in. The goal was her first of the season. ย
Vargas doubled up the Bruins' lead in the 63rd minute. The freshman forward chested down a bad clearance, settled it with her left and then fired a left-footed strike from about 25 yards out past Rath into the left corner for the second goal of her career.ย
The Bruins held the Waves to zero shots in the second half and finished the game with a 25-2 shot advantage. Purcell made saves on both of Pepperdine's shots and earned the shutout, her fourth solo shutout of the year. Rath finished the game with eight saves.?? GOLAZO ALERT! ??
โ UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) September 16, 2023
Val Vargas left-footed rocket from long distance puts UCLA up 2-0 over Pepperdine.
??: https://t.co/RhLYOjRhv7 #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/wa3chxNDTd
UCLA senior Jordyn Gather, who has been unable to play in each of the last three seasons due to injuries, saw the first in-game action of her career, receiving the start in a brief appearance.
The Bruins will begin Pac-12 Conference play on Friday, Sept. 22 at Colorado.
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Team Stats
PEP
UCLA
Goals
0
2
Shots
2
25
Shots on Goal
2
10
Saves
8
2
Corners
1
11
Fouls
7
9
Scoring Plays
Quincy McMahon (1)
GOAL by UCLA McMahon, Quincy.
53:14
Val Vargas (2)
GOAL by UCLA Vargas, Val.
62:49
Game Leaders
Players
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
8
SOG
4
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF/F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
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