Fontes Hat Trick Leads UCLA to 6-0 Win over CSUN
LOS ANGELES – Behind a hat trick from senior Sunshine Fontes, No. 6 UCLA (2-0) posted a 6-0 victory over CSUN (1-2) in a non-conference matchup at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Fontes's hat trick was the 28th in program history, and she became the 21st Bruin to score at least three goals in a game, and the first since Reilyn Turner on Sept. 5, 2021. The six goals scored were the most by the Bruins since a 6-0 win over Oregon State on Oct. 21, 2018.
Fontes, a midfielder from Wahiawa, Hawaii, scored the game's first goal on a hard-nosed individual effort, carving through four different defenders before shooting just outside the box to the upper left corner in the 11th minute. Her second goal, in the 22nd minute, was also from an equal distance, a left-footed laser to the back of the net off a rebound from a blocked Lexi Wright shot. Fontes completed the hat trick in the 60th minute on a bending free kick to the upper left from about 25 yards out, giving UCLA a 5-0 lead.
🎩🎩🎩 Hats off to @sunshinefontes for yet another spectacular goal, her third of the game!
UCLA 5, CSUN 0 (60')
📺: @Pac12Network
📲: https://t.co/A1ymGUZH7t #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/PjV0SMrVnQ— UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) August 26, 2022
Three other Bruins got in on the scoring action, recording their first collegiate goals. Wright scored in the 15th minute, one-timing a perfect cross from Brianne Riley that went over the Matador goalkeeper's reach. Defender Maya Evans headed in an Ally Lemos corner kick in the 47th minute, and freshman Sofia Cook settled a UCI clearance just outside the box and fired to the far post to beat CSUN goalkeeper Taylor Thames in the 77th minute.
OH MAYA! Junior defender Maya Evans with the powerful header off Ally Lemos's corner kick!
UCLA increases its lead to 4-0.
📺: @Pac12Network
📲: https://t.co/A1ymGUZH7t #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/pRrPjSZ9RG— UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) August 26, 2022
The Bruins enjoyed a 34-2 shot advantage in the game and had 22 shots on goal. Thames had her hands full with the potent Bruin offense and made 16 saves. The Matadors had just one shot in each half, each of which were handled by UCLA goalkeepers Kelly McManus and Neeku Purcell, respectively.
A total of 26 Bruins saw action in the game, including all four goalkeepers. Graduate student Lauren Brzykcy earned the win, playing in the first 30 minutes before McManus subbed in for the rest of the half. Purcell and Faith Nguyen split time in the second half. McManus, Purcell and Nguyen each made their collegiate debuts in the game.
UCLA will next face 2020 NCAA champion Santa Clara on the road on Sunday.