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UCLA Blanks Cal State Fullerton, 1-0

by uclabruins.com
Sep 24, 2022
Constantinos Michaelides (L) and Aaron Edwards celebrate after the former's eight-minute go-ahead goal (photo: Scott Chandler)

LOS ANGELES – Senior winger Constantinos Michaelides notched an eighth minute goal and a staunch defensive effort made that hold up as the game-winner as No. 15 UCLA defeated Cal State Fullerton 1-0 on Saturday night at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.

Michaelides got the Bruins (5-2-1) on the board with an eighth-minute score, finishing off a set piece with a headed redirect that snuck inside the far post.

UCLA couldn't capitalize on its remaining scoring chances, but prevented the Titans (5-3-2) from ever equalizing. The result marked the Bruins' fourth shutout of the 2022 campaign.

"I'm proud of the guys for pitching a shutout, proud of the guys for getting a result at home, but our lack of clinical-ness made us work a lot harder than we probably needed to," said UCLA head coach Ryan Jorden.

A pair of individual defensive efforts stood out given the final score.

In the 31st minute, UCLA sophomore keeper Nate Crockford was forced to come off his line following a turnover deep in Bruin territory. One on one with an attacking Titan, Crockford sprawled out and made a twisting punch low to the ground to knock the ball away and end the scoring chance. Crockford ended the contest with four saves, matching his season-high.

Then in the 69th minute, junior forward Andre Ochoa made a spectacular play to deny a sure goal, tracking back and sliding across the goal line to clear a low shot off the line.

UCLA's goal came as a result of a free kick, which originated about 35 yards out. Instead of serving a ball into the box, senior midfielder Jose Sosa instead tapped a ball down the right side for senior midfielder Riley Ferch, who first-timed a cross into the 18.

Michaelides did the rest from there, getting his head on it near the penalty spot and redirecting it low off the hands of CSF keeper Tetsuya Kadono and into the back of the net.

UCLA returns to Pac-12 play next week, hosting Oregon State on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. PT and Washington on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. PT. Both games will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.

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