UCLA
7-1-0, 1-0-0
Colorado
8-2-0, 0-1-0
Bruins Beat Buffaloes in Pac-12 Opener, 3-1
September 22, 2023 | Women's Soccer
Cook gave UCLA (7-1, 1-0 in the Pac-12) an early lead with a goal in the sixth minute. Lexi Wright split a pair of Colorado defenders to deliver a through ball to Cook, who sent a right-footed shot to the left side past Buffalo goalkeeper Jordan Nytes for the first goal of the game.
Wright nearly scored less than two minutes later when her shot hit the crossbar. She had another shot that looked destined for goal in the 31st minute, but her left-footed attempt to the far post was stopped by a diving Nytes.
But Nytes had no chance on the Bruins' second goal in the 42nd minute, a great team effort by the Bruins. Quincy McMahon and Sofia Cook started the play with a give-and-go along the left sideline. McMahon then sent a pass into Ally Cook in the box, and she quickly deposited it past Nytes into the back of the net for her second goal of the game and fifth goal of the year.
Armed with a 2-0 halftime lead, the Bruins, and particularly Wright, remained relentless in the second half. Just 32 seconds into the second half, Wright just missed a goal that went just wide of the right post. In the 49th minute, she missed just high in front of goal. In the 59th minute, Nytes made back-to-back saves on shots by Reilyn Turner and Ally Cook. Those saves looked to be critical, as just two minutes later, Colorado (8-2, 0-1) pulled to within one on a header by Shyra James off a corner kick.What a passing clinic by the Bruins! ??
โ UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) September 23, 2023
Sofia Cook ?? Quincy McMahon ?? @ally_cook
??: @Pac12Network
??: https://t.co/DjeYFln45C#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/l3kazi9ekZ
Wright's persistence paid off in the 77th minute. Her eighth shot of the game was hit hard from the left side and stopped by Nytes, but the save caromed off the leg of a Colorado defender for an own goal.
The Bruins outshot the Buffaloes, 20-5, holding their seventh opponent of the season to five or less shots in the game. Neeku Purcell earned the win and made one save. The Bruins forced Nytes into seven saves.It's an own goal officially, but Lexi Wright gets all the credit from us!
โ UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) September 23, 2023
??: @Pac12Network
??: https://t.co/DjeYFlnBVa#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/a38ROwqNBR
UCLA will next play at Washington on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7pm.
Team Stats
Ally Cook (5)
Assisted By: Lexi Wright
GOAL by UCLA Cook, Ally Assist by Wright, Lexi.
05:54
Ally Cook (5)
Assisted By: Quincy McMahon , Sofia Cook
GOAL by UCLA Cook, Ally Assist by McMahon, Quincy and Cook, Sofia.
41:37
Shyra James (8)
Assisted By: Rachel Rosen
GOAL by COLO James, Shyra Assist by Rosen, Rachel.
60:43
0
GOAL by UCLA TEAM.
76:03
