UCLA Men's Soccer Opens with 5-2 Exhibition Win over Nebraska Omaha

Fourth-ranked UCLA opened up exhibition play on Tuesday, Aug. 19 with a 5-2 victory over Nebraska Omaha at UCLA’s North Athletic Field. Pac-12 Player of the Year and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist Leo Stolz picked up where he left off a year ago, scoring a goal and tallying three assists. Jordan Vale added a goal and an assist for the Bruins.

The Bruins wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. At 2:40, junior transfer Larry Ndjock tapped in a shot from the left side after receiving a cross from Andrew Tusaazemajja to give UCLA the early lead. Six minutes later, UCLA was awarded a penalty kick after a handball in the box, and Stolz easily scored to make it 2-0. The Bruins made it 3-0 at 34:28 when Edgar Contreras headed in a Stolz corner kick and then scored on another set piece shortly after halftime, when Vale scored off a Stolz free kick at 47:34.

Nebraska Omaha got on the board at 49:04 with a header from Mark Moulton into the left corner, but a 56th minute goal by Javan Torre, off an assist by Vale, built the lead back up to four. A header by Omaha’s Felipe da Silva in the 68th minute rounded out the scoring.

Earl Edwards Jr. picked up the win with a scoreless first half and made one save. Newcomers Ndjock and freshman Chase Gasper made the starting lineup, and freshmen Christian Chavez, Seyi Adekoya and Joab Santoyo made their Bruin debuts.

“We had a good first preseason exhibition game today,” said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. “The guys showed that this team has some potential to be dynamic and score goals and keep possession. We’ll continue to work every day on making it a little bit better and preparing ourselves for our first match against Wake Forest.”