(Photo Courtesy of Suzi Mellano/UCLA Athletics)
Own goal gifts UCLA men's soccer win over UC Irvine
The Bruins didn't need to score a goal to win the game.
The Anteaters did it for them.
UCLA men's soccer (2-1) capitalized on an own goal by UC Irvine (0-3) to win 1-0 in Irvine on Friday. It was the first shutout road win for the Bruins in nearly two years, with their last coming back on Nov. 16, 2019.
Much like in UCLA's 2-1 overtime win against San Francisco on Sunday, senior goalkeeper Justin Garces did not have to do a lot of heavy lifting to get his team the win. Garces made one save in that game, and then saved both of the two shots the Anteaters put on goal Friday.
UC Irvine actually put as many shots on Garces as it did its own goalie in the first half.
UCLA had a set piece in the attacking third thanks to Anteater defender Kwabena Boateng's foul, and although the initial free kick didn't turn into much, UC Irvine's failed clearance gave the Bruins another chance deep in enemy territory.
Sophomore forward Grayson Doody got the ball on the right wing, made a cut towards the inside and sent a cross into the box for freshman defender Pietro Grassi. The ball got redirected towards the net, and another failed clearance ended in an own goal by the Anteaters in the 20th minute.
UC Irvine now has just as many own goals as it does offensive goals three games into the 2021 season with one apiece.
Just before the end of the first half, Garces made his first save of the night, then faced another shot from forward Juan Barragan-Manzo 30 seconds later. The shot missed top left as Garces and Barragan-Manzo collided, with Garces picking up a yellow card and Barragan-Mazo leave the game with an injury.
Amid the chaos, UCLA still entered halftime up 1-0.
Garces made his next save in the 64th minute, shutting down a 5-on-3 advantage by UC Irvine. The Bruins had multiple chances to extend their lead to two – first in the 56th minute, again in the 80th and once more in the 88th following an Anteater yellow card.
While none of those chances came to fruition, UCLA's back line stood strong and did what it needed to do to secure the victory in Irvine.
UCLA will return home for a Monday night matchup against CSUN that kicks off at 7 p.m.
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