Ann Arbor, Mich. - A third-minute goal by Val Vargas was all No. 4 UCLA needed in a wet 1-0 victory at Michigan on Sunday.
Vargas answered the early wake-up call for the Bruins (6-2-1, 2-0-1 in the Big Ten), scoring her first goal of the season just 2:44 into the match. The play started from a goal kick by Daphne Nakfoor that found Lexi Wright up the middle. Wright one-touched it to Kara Croone, who hit a streaking Vargas with a through ball. Vargas raced past the defense and fired from the back of the box for the goal.
The Bruin defense held Michigan (3-6-1, 0-2-1) to just three shots in the contest while picking up their sixth shutout of the season. Nakfoor and Mariangela Medina teamed up for their third combined shutout. Nakfoor had one save in the first half, a diving stop of an Adi Walick rocket in the 24th minute. Medina faced just one shot in the second half and did not have to make a save.
Michigan goalkeeper Sophie Homan made two saves on 10 UCLA shots.
UCLA will next host Rutgers on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:30pm. Tickets are on sale at uclabruins.com/tickets.
Vargas answered the early wake-up call for the Bruins (6-2-1, 2-0-1 in the Big Ten), scoring her first goal of the season just 2:44 into the match. The play started from a goal kick by Daphne Nakfoor that found Lexi Wright up the middle. Wright one-touched it to Kara Croone, who hit a streaking Vargas with a through ball. Vargas raced past the defense and fired from the back of the box for the goal.
Early wake-up call is no issue for the Bruins. ?
— UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) September 21, 2025
Kara Croone finds Val Vargas for the goal less than 3?? minutes into the game!
??: @BigTenPlus #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/HsLoyAMtAi
The Bruin defense held Michigan (3-6-1, 0-2-1) to just three shots in the contest while picking up their sixth shutout of the season. Nakfoor and Mariangela Medina teamed up for their third combined shutout. Nakfoor had one save in the first half, a diving stop of an Adi Walick rocket in the 24th minute. Medina faced just one shot in the second half and did not have to make a save.
Daphne Nakfoor doing @DNakfoor things to keep the Wolverines off the board.
— UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) September 21, 2025
??: @BigTenPlus #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/IEVgjsmBRn
Michigan goalkeeper Sophie Homan made two saves on 10 UCLA shots.
UCLA will next host Rutgers on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:30pm. Tickets are on sale at uclabruins.com/tickets.