IRVINE, Calif. – Ryder Dodd scored a game-high four goals Friday, leading top-ranked UCLA to a 16-14 non-conference win against No. 13 UC Irvine at Anteater Aquatics Complex. Dodd’s two final, difference-making goals were tallied in the last 3:21.
The Bruins (6-0) also received multi-goal efforts from Bode Brinkema, Chase McFarland and Wade Sherlock. Each scored twice. UCLA’s Nate Tauscher made his 2026 debut in the cage, knocking down seven shots while giving up four goals in the first half. Harper Gardner added three saves the rest of the way. Johann Thrall posted three goals, while Vincent Vega recorded seven saves, to pace the Anteaters (7-2).
The opening moments of the first quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Danilo Dragović gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 6:58, but UCI answered with a pair. Brinkema then converted a penalty shot, but UCI again answered, retaking the lead at 3-2. Vinnie Merk, Dodd and Marcell Szécsi helped the visitors close strong, through, as UCLA led 5-3 after one.
The Bruin run continued in the second, as Peter Castillo (7:28), McFarland (5:38) and Jack Merrill (2:32) all recorded power-play goals before the Anteaters scored again. In total, UCLA held UCI scoreless over a stretch of 11:04. Dodd added his second at 1:21, giving the Bruins a 9-4 halftime lead.
The Anteaters chipped away at their deficit in the third frame, scoring three times. UCLA was able to keep a three-goal cushion, though, thanks in part to Brinkema, McFarland and Luka Gladović. Brinkema’s second goal also came by way of a penalty shot. Gladović has now found the back of the net in each of his first four games played with the Bruins.
Sherlock scored both of his goals in the fourth quarter’s first two minutes. UCI twice made it a two-goal game with under four minutes left, but Dodd had an answer both times. The Anteaters’ final score came with 0:58 left.
UCLA opens its home slate Saturday as part of the UCLA Mini Invite. The Bruins open up against No. 14 UC Santa Barbara at 10 a.m. PT, then play No. 15 LMU at 12:30 p.m. UCSB and LMU then square off at 2:30 p.m.
No. 1 UCLA 16, No. 13 UC Irvine 14
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| No. 1 UCLA | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
| No. 13 UC Irvine | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 14 |
6x5: UCLA 8/11, UC Irvine 8/12
Penalties: UCLA 2/2, UC Irvine 0/0
UCLA Goals: Dodd 4, Brinkema 2, McFarland 2, Sherlock 2, Castillo 1, Dragović 1, Gladović 1, Merk 1, Merrill 1, Szécsi 1
UCLA Saves: Tauscher 7, Gardner 3
UC Irvine Goals: Johann Thrall 3, Ben Atkinson 2, Alex Lopez 2, Wyley Dale 1, Cole Francisco 1, Jayson Hubbard 1, Charlie Jones 1, Brody Luke 1, Maddox McEwen 1, Gage Verdegaal 1
UC Irvine Saves: Vega 7, Cary 3