UCLA Suffers First Loss, 2-1 to ASU in Overtime

Mar 26, 2021

LOS ANGELES - A short-handed No. 3 UCLA squad suffered its first loss of the season, falling in overtime to No. 21 Arizona State, 2-1.

The Bruins (8-1-1, 5-1-0 in the Pac-12) had to play the overtime period down a player after Kennedy Faulknor was red-carded in the 86th minute. And although the Bruins had the first two shots in the extra period, it was the Sun Devils who broke through with the game-winner at 98:45, as Nicole Douglas sent a cross to Cori Sullivan at the right post. Sullivan one-timed it past UCLA goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy for the golden goal.

UCLA had led for most of the game, scoring the game's first goal at 16:41. Mia Fishel's shot bounced off the left post, but Kaila Novak was there to one-time the rebound into the back of the net for her first collegiate goal.

💪 @kailanovak one-times @miafishel10's shot that bounced off the post for her first collegiate goal.

📺 @Pac12Network
📱 https://t.co/SEFiUCPPOr pic.twitter.com/RIAPxQNGKq

— UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) March 27, 2021

The Sun Devils (7-1-2, 3-0-2) had several good scoring opportunities in the second half in particular, with Brzykcy making saves on a Douglas header in the 67th minute and on a Tahlia Herman-Watt shot to the upper left corner in the 68th minute. Eva van Duersen also had a header that went just wide in the 73rd minute, and Bryzkcy leaped high to make a save on a Douglas header in the 80th minute. The Sun Devils finally broke through at 82:37 when a cross by Nguyen into the box deflected off a Bruin defender, hit the post and went in for the equalizer.

Things got worse just seconds later when Faulknor was sent off after a late foul on Alexia Delgado in the Bruins' attacking third. Although down one player, the Bruins continued to challenge for the go-ahead goal and nearly got it in the closing seconds, earning a corner kick in the last 30 seconds. Novak's last second shot just missed wide, however.

UCLA will get back on the pitch on Friday, Apr. 2 against Washington at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.