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Arizona Soccer Puts Up Fight Against No. 3 UCLA, Falls 2-1

by arizonawildcats.com
Sep 30, 2021

TUCSON, Ariz. -- In an incredibly close match on Thursday, the Arizona Wildcats (3-0-6, 0-2-0) fell to No. 3 UCLA (9-0-1, 1-0-1) 2-1. The Wildcats and Bruins were, both offensively and defensively, neck and neck for a majority of the match. However, keeper Hope Hisey dominated in the goal. 

The Bruins were able to capitalize on an early opportunity, sending the Cats into the half down by one. Despite the early tip in UCLA's favor, Arizona blazed just behind UCLA throughout the entirety of the match, making multiple attempts to equalize. In the 52nd minute that opportunity came as redshirt senior Jill Aguilera was able to send in the equalizer. Aguilera became only the second person to score on the Bruins this season and the first to score on UCLA keeper Lauren Brzykcy. In the end, no. 3 UCLA was able to score the game-winner in the 70th minute, ending the match at 2-1. 

The Cats were out shot 21-14 with an on goal comparison of 13-7. Junior keeper Hope Hisey made 11 crucial saves, marking her third double digit match. She now sits at 62 saves on the season. 

Arizona Goals
52' Jill Aguilera

Play of the match - The Equalizer
The Arizona Wildcats were down one at the beginning of the second half when redshirt senior Jill Aguilera and junior Madison Goerlinger were able to score an equalizing goal. The pair were able to pass the ball back and forth down the pitch until Aguilera found the perfect position from just outside the penalty box. Aguilera was able to launch the ball over the Bruin keeper and into the back of the net to advance the match to 1-1. This is now the third time this season the duo has worked together to score for Arizona. 

This goal marks the 29th of Aguilera's career, moving her into 2nd place in program history for career goals. She is now three goals away from tying for first (32) and four from setting a new program record (33).
 

 
Player of the match - 
Keeper Hope Hisey put on a remarkable performance against the Bruins, picking up 11 saves. This is the third time this season that she has recorded saves in the double digits, her previous two being against Nebraska (11) and Gonzaga (14). She now sits with 62 saves on the season and is leading the Pac-12 for the third week in a row by 17 saves.
 

Blurb with Becca
"I am really proud of them. We have been waiting for that critical mass. The number of sessions that we've had together, with all the time we have spent in front of film, all that we've done to tip and turn it into a complete performance, I think tonight is as close to a complete performance as we've had. We dominated for many minutes of the game. They were outstanding and I am really proud of them."

Up Next 
The Arizona Wildcats will return to Mulcahy on Sunday Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. MST to take on USC. 

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