UCLA
3-2-2, 0-0-1
Stanford
5-1-2, 0-1-2
UCLA Deadlocks No. 4 Stanford, 2-2, in Pac-12 Opener
September 28, 2023 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA men's soccer team was able to score a pair of set-piece goals, but ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw against No. 4 Stanford on Thursday night at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.
The Bruins (3-2-2, 0-0-1 Pac-12) never trailed in their Pac-12 opener, with Ryan Becher (15') and Jack Sarkos (50') scoring go-ahead goals on either side of the halftime whistle.
However, Stanford (5-1-2, 0-1-2) equalized in short order on both occasions, with Jackson Kiil's 54th-minute marker capping the scoring for both teams.
UCLA ended the contest with a 13-10 edge in shots, including an 8-3 advantage in the opening half.
Senior forward Andre Ochoa set up the game's opening goal, curling in a free kick from the right side of the offensive third. The ball found an unmarked Becher just above the six-yard box, and he redirected a header past the outstretched arms of Stanford keeper Rowan Schnebly.
15' | UCLA GOALLL!!!
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) September 29, 2023
Ryan Becher converts on the set piece and the Bruins take the early lead!
UCLA 1, Stanford 0
?? | Pac-12 Networks
??? | https://t.co/N68BlCVZ29#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/rxUPm781LF
UCLA found pay dirt with another dead-ball goal early on in the second half, as senior left back Tommy Silva served a corner kick to the far post for Sarkos, who headed it low back across goal and into the net for his team-high seventh goal of the campaign.
50' | UCLA GOALLL!!!
— UCLA Men's Soccer (@UCLAMSoccer) September 29, 2023
It's another Sark Attack at Annenberg!
UCLA 2, Stanford 1
?? | Pac-12 Networks
??? | https://t.co/N68BlCVZ29#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/0FpKDcQAFy
The Bruins had at least two golden opportunities to go back ahead in the first half.
In the 38th, redshirt junior forward Jose Contell attacked downed the center before laying it off for Becher down the right wing. Becher then went to put in a low cross which was deflected into the air, where Ochoa met it with a bicycle kick, but the drive went over the bar.
About a minute later, a nice passing sequence in the offensive third by the Bruins led to a decent look for Contell from the left side, but his far-post shot went off the inside of the woodwork before getting cleared out by the Cardinal.
Freshman keeper Wyatt Nelson made three saves in the contest, including a sprawling stop of a redirected cross from near the six-year box in the 22nd minute.
Shane de Flores netted Stanford's first goal of the game in the 25th, banging home a shot from inside the 18 after a short pass from Kiil.
UCLA returns to action on Sunday, hosting California at 2:00 p.m. That game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Team Stats
Ryan Becher (2)
Assisted By: Andre Ochoa
GOAL by UCLA Becher, Ryan Assist by Ochoa, Andre.
14:19
Shane de Flores (3)
Assisted By: Jackson Kiil , Zach Bohane
GOAL by STAN de Flores, Shane Assist by Kiil, Jackson and Bohane, Zach.
24:58
Jack Sarkos (7)
Assisted By: Tommy Silva
GOAL by UCLA Sarkos, Jack Assist by Silva, Tommy.
49:24
Jackson Kiil (4)
Assisted By: Shane de Flores
GOAL by STAN Kiil, Jackson Assist by de Flores, Shane.
53:40
