Thursday, November 20
Los Angeles, CA
2:00 pm (PT)
UCLA
8-6-5, 5-3-2
0
vs
0
GCU
13-3-5, 3-1-3
1
2
3
4
5
F
Grand Canyon
0
0
0
0
0
0
UCLA
0
0
0
0
0
0
UCLA Falls to Grand Canyon in Penalty Kicks in NCAA Tournament
November 20, 2025 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA men's soccer team fell in penalty kicks to Grand Canyon University, 3-1, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday evening.
With the loss, the Bruins' season ends in the first round of the tournament. UCLA finishes the year 8-7-4, having claimed its first Big Ten Tournament title in the program's second year in the conference.
Due to rain in the Los Angeles area in the days leading up to the game, as well as throughout Thursday's game, the field was extremely muddy and a physical battle ensued between the two programs.
Kevin Box in goal for the Bruins made two huge saves throughout the game, while Sergi Solans Ormo had eight shots with four coming on target on the day.
UCLA outshot Grand Canyon 17-7, and had seven shots on goal compared to GCU's two.
Over 110 minutes of action, neither team could find a goal, and the game headed to penalty kicks. In penalty kicks UCLA's Konstantinos Georgallides made the first one for the Bruins, while GCU missed their first penalty, putting UCLA up 1-0 in the shootout.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, their next three penalty kicks were either saved or missed, and GCU made all three of theirs to earn the 3-1 shootout win and advance in the tournament.
UCLA had a few great chances throughout regulation and overtime. Francis Bonsu, on his return from a spell out injured, brought pace into the game late on in the first half. The freshman picked up the ball on the wing and curled a shot towards the near post, but Grand Canyon's keeper parried it away and the game was goalless heading to the second half.
In the second half the Bruins continued to pepper GCU's goal, but could not find the breakthrough. Solans Ormo had an opportunity in the 79th minute of action but the GCU keeper kept it out. UCLA keeper Kevin Box then made a spectacular save at the other end in the 81st minute to keep it scoreless and the game went to extra time.
Ibarra came up huge again for GCU in goal in extra time. Solans Ormo thought he had headed in the game-winning goal in the second period of overtime off a cross from Schinieder Mimy, but Ibarra got his fingertips to the ball and pushed it wide to keep things scoreless.
The game then went to penalty kicks where Grand Canyon advanced 3-1 to the second round of the tournament.
With the loss, the Bruins' season ends in the first round of the tournament. UCLA finishes the year 8-7-4, having claimed its first Big Ten Tournament title in the program's second year in the conference.
Due to rain in the Los Angeles area in the days leading up to the game, as well as throughout Thursday's game, the field was extremely muddy and a physical battle ensued between the two programs.
Kevin Box in goal for the Bruins made two huge saves throughout the game, while Sergi Solans Ormo had eight shots with four coming on target on the day.
UCLA outshot Grand Canyon 17-7, and had seven shots on goal compared to GCU's two.
Over 110 minutes of action, neither team could find a goal, and the game headed to penalty kicks. In penalty kicks UCLA's Konstantinos Georgallides made the first one for the Bruins, while GCU missed their first penalty, putting UCLA up 1-0 in the shootout.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, their next three penalty kicks were either saved or missed, and GCU made all three of theirs to earn the 3-1 shootout win and advance in the tournament.
UCLA had a few great chances throughout regulation and overtime. Francis Bonsu, on his return from a spell out injured, brought pace into the game late on in the first half. The freshman picked up the ball on the wing and curled a shot towards the near post, but Grand Canyon's keeper parried it away and the game was goalless heading to the second half.
In the second half the Bruins continued to pepper GCU's goal, but could not find the breakthrough. Solans Ormo had an opportunity in the 79th minute of action but the GCU keeper kept it out. UCLA keeper Kevin Box then made a spectacular save at the other end in the 81st minute to keep it scoreless and the game went to extra time.
Ibarra came up huge again for GCU in goal in extra time. Solans Ormo thought he had headed in the game-winning goal in the second period of overtime off a cross from Schinieder Mimy, but Ibarra got his fingertips to the ball and pushed it wide to keep things scoreless.
The game then went to penalty kicks where Grand Canyon advanced 3-1 to the second round of the tournament.
Team Stats
GCU
UCLA
Goals
0
0
Shots
10
17
Shots on Goal
2
7
Saves
6
2
Corners
3
6
Fouls
8
8
Game Leaders
Shots
8
SOG
4
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerHighlights - UCLA M. Soccer vs. Michigan - Big Ten Tournament Final (11/16/25)
Monday, November 17
UCLA 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