BERKELEY, Calif. – The No. 12 UCLA men’s soccer team earned a 2-2 draw at California on Tuesday evening, extending the team’s unbeaten streak to four games to open the 2026 season. UCLA’s goals were scored by Jaime Amaro and Shakir Nixon.

UCLA (2-0-2) remains unbeaten in 2026, as Philip Naef earned assists on both UCLA goals. After the Bruins took a 2-1 advantage, California (1-0-2) equalized with 45 seconds remaining to tie the game at 2-2.

Tuesday’s game was a chippy affair as the referee dished out nine yellow cards throughout the game.

After neither team found the back of the net in the opening half hour, Cal took a lead into the halftime break with a strike from Malcom Zalayet.

The second half was a different story as the Bruins battled their way back into the game. With 62 minutes played, the Bruins equalized through Amaro.

Nixon dribbled through the Golden Bears defense before laying the ball off to Philip Naef. The senior then sent a low driven cross across goal to a crashing Amaro, who took a touch before firing the ball into the bottom left corner of the net, tying the game at 1-1.

UCLA continued to pile on the pressure, and it paid off in the 82nd minute. Nixon, who played a crucial part in the Bruins’ first goal, buried the second. Naef picked up the ball just inside the Cal half and carried the ball towards the edge of the box. He then squared the ball to Nixon, who took a touch into the Cal box before smashing the ball to the far post and past the keeper, giving the Bruins a 2-1 advantage.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, Cal would tie it with 45 seconds remaining. A scramble in the box led the ball to fall to Kai Oppenheim, who buried it past Ryan Tiltack in goal for the Bruins, tying the game at 2-2.  

Up Next: UCLA returns to Los Angeles to host Omaha on Sunday at 7 pm PT. Tickets can be purchased at uclabruins.com/tickets/

Notable:
Shakir Nixon now has two goals and one assist in his last two games.
Jaime Amaro tallied his first goal as a Bruin in the draw with Cal.
Philip Naef recorded his fourth career multi-assist game.
UCLA stays unbeaten through the first four matches of 2026.