PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The UCLA men’s soccer team fell for the first time in 2026 on Friday night, losing to Rutgers 3-1. Zach Neuls scored for the Bruins in the loss, which was also the Big Ten conference opener for both sides.

With the loss, UCLA falls to 3-1-2 (0-1-0 Big Ten), while Rutgers improves to 2-3-1 (1-0-0 Big Ten).

Goalkeeper Tristan Shaw made his full collegiate debut for the Bruins on Friday evening. The freshman made two saves on the night.

The Bruins started the game brightly and earned back-to-back corner kicks in the opening minutes. On UCLA’s second corner of the night, Adrian Aguilar whipped a ball into the box that Neuls connected with and buried his header into the back of the net to give UCLA a 1-0 advantage three minutes in. The goal was Neuls’ second of the season, and his second headed goal off a corner this year.

Rutgers responded 12 minutes later, tying the match at 1-1 courtesy of a goal by Nick Collins. After the goal by Collins, neither team could find the back of the net for the remainder of the half.

In the second half, Rutgers added their second of the night just three minutes into the half. After a giveaway at the back of the Bruins' defense, Erick Ruiz slotted a ball past Shaw, putting the Scarlet Knights up 2-1.

With 15 minutes remaining in the match, Victor Ciaurriz, already on a yellow card, challenged for the ball in the Rutgers box but was judged to have fouled a Rutgers player and was issued a second yellow card and sent off by the referee.

The Bruins tried to rally from there and were initially awarded a penalty after Cameron Arnold was fouled in the box, but the referee went to the monitor and reversed the call.

Already up 2-1, Rutgers added a third goal with two minutes remaining, as William Pierce added the third, giving the Scarlet Knights the 3-1 win to open Big Ten Conference play.

Up Next: UCLA returns home to host Michigan on Friday, September 18 for UCLA’s Big Ten Conference home opener. Kickoff is set for 7 pm PT and the match will be broadcast on B1G+.