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Bruins Beat Waves in Season Opener, 3-0

by uclabruins.com
Feb 7, 2021
Mia Fishel

Box Score (PDF) | Boxscore

Malibu, Calif. – No. 4 UCLA scored three first-half goals to run away with a 3-0 victory over No. 25 Pepperdine in both teams' season opener in Malibu. Bruin senior Marley Canales, who missed half of the 2019 season with an ACL injury, assisted on all three Bruin goals, and freshman Reilyn Turner contributed a goal and assist in her collegiate debut.

The Bruins, who had not played an official game in 429 games, came out swinging, as sophomore Mia Fishel netted the first goal of the season in the eighth minute. The goal came as a result of a Canales free kick that Turner headed and Fishel finished in front of goal. Canales and Turner linked up again in the 22nd minute, executing a give-and-go that Turner flicked past Pepperdine goalkeeper Kinsey Ehmann for her first collegiate goal. Redshirt senior Jacey Pederson, who had not played in an official game since Nov. 2, 2018, earned her first collegiate goal as well in the 30th minute, scoring off a Canales corner kick.

UCLA's defense held strong in the second half despite more pressure from the Waves. Goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy made six saves in the second stanza and finished the game with seven saves overall while earning her fifth career shutout.

Seven Bruins made their collegiate debuts – freshmen starters Turner and Megan Edelman, redshirt freshman Sunshine Fontes, and true freshmen Aislynn Crowder, Michaela Rosenbaum, Jillian Martinez and Isabel Loza. Edelman was selected by the UCLA coaching staff as the Bruin of the Match.

"Talk about a team effort," said UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell. "Our Baby Bruins are awesome, stepping up big time. Reilyn and Megan getting the start as rookies is huge. Jacey coming back after being out after awhile, Marley Canales coming back. It's awesome to see them out there; it was really moving."

The Bruins (1-0) will host No. 10 BYU in the home opener on Friday, Feb. 12 at 5pm.

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