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UCLA Set to Face Loyola Marymount in Road Battle

by uclabruins.com
Oct 12, 2022
Andre Ochoa (photo: Scott Chandler)

UCLA (6-4-1) at Loyola Marymount (8-2-2)
Date/Time: Friday, Oct. 14 - 7:00 p.m. (PT)
Location: Los Angeles, Calif. (Sullivan Field)
Stream: WCC Network
Live Stats

UCLA STAYS LOCAL FOR NON-CONFERENCE TILT AT LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
After playing four straight games at home, UCLA (6-4-1) hits the road this week, making a 10-mile trek to Loyola Marymount (8-2-2) for a non-conference battle in Westchester. The game will be streamed live on the WCC Network, free of charge. Fans can also follow along with live stats via uclalivestats.com and live updates via the team Twitter account, @UCLAMSoccer. 

QUICK HITS

  • UCLA is 6-4-1 overall on the year, and is second in the Pac-12 table with seven points
  • 12 different players have recorded a point so far for UCLA, including eight separate goalscorers
  • UCLA's five shutouts on the season are tied for No. 23 in the country
  • The Bruins have allowed one goal or fewer in six consecutive games
  • UCLA is 5-0 this season when scoring first, and 1-4 when conceding first
  • In all competitions, the Bruins are averaging just 3.4 shots on goal against 
  • 2021: 11-7-1, reached second round of NCAA Tournament, +8 goal differential (all best since 2015)

IN THE POLLS
UCLA received votes in both the United Soccer Coaches and College Soccer News polls this week. 

  • UCLA had been nationally ranked every prvious week this season, debuting at No. 20 in the preseason polls and moving up as high as No. 4
  • The Bruins' No. 4 ranking earlier this season was the program's highest since Sept. 1, 2015 (No. 1)
  • UCLA was ranked No. 3 in this week's United Soccer Coaches Far West Region poll, behind only Washington and Stanford

THE WEEK IN REVIEW
UCLA played just one game last week, notching a 2-0 victory over San Diego State on Friday, Oct. 7. The Bruins scored a pair of goals in the second half, with Jose Sosa notching the game-winner on a PK in the 65th followed by an 85th-minute insurance marker from Tommy Silva. Grayson Doody drew the spot kick for the Bruins, putting in a left-footed shot from the top of the box that hit an SDSU defender in the hand for a penalty. Sosa went low and to the keeper's right, while the keeper dove left, for UCLA's first penalty-kick goal of the year. 20 minutes later, Silva deflected an SDSU clearance attempt back into the net, after Jose Contell had played a dangerous ball across the box that was intercepted at the far post. It was the first goal of the year for both Sosa and Silva.

ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
UCLA owns a 27-3-1 record all-time against Loyola Marymount, including a 9-3-1 mark this millennium. The two programs have met often in recent years, as Friday's tilt represents the fourth matchup between the two over the last five seasons. The home team has won in each of the last four head-to-head meetings. Current Bruins to have recorded points against LMU in their careers include Aaron Edwards (2G, 1 GP), Tucker Lepley (2A, 1 GP), and Grayson Doody (1A, 2GP). 

LAST YEAR AGAINST THE LIONS

  • Aaron Edwards notched a brace to lead UCLA to a 2-1 win over then No. 14 LMU on Oct. 14, 2021 at Wallis Annenberg Stadium
  • Edwards was named the National Player of the Week by College Soccer News for the performance, and he was also named the Pac-12 Player of the Week, UCLA Student-Athlete of the Week, and made Team of the Week for College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer
  • Both goals came in the second half, and they were the first two goals of his career (and the only two of his career to date)
  • UCLA out-shot LMU 15-4, and had a 2-1 advantage in possession
  • The Bruins trailed after a 31st minute goal from LMU's Duhaney Williams
  • Edwards' first goal came in the 69th minute, as he redirected a Tucker Lepley cross from the right wing
  • He headed home a Tucker Lepley corner kick for the game-winner in the 83rd minute

KEEPING IT CLEAN
Thanks in part to a large advantage in possession numbers, UCLA is committing just 8.91 fouls per game to this point of the season. That figure ranks second in the Pac-12 Conference and ninth nationally (1st: St. Bonaventure, 7.58). 

GOOD START
UCLA started off the year 3-0-0 for the first time since 2002
The Bruins went 5-2-1 over their first eight games, the second time that UCLA had two losses or fewer in that time span since 2014

PUTTING DOWN ROOTS
UCLA is in the middle of a stretch that sees the team stay in the Los Angeles area for an extended period of time. The Bruins will go from Sept. 19 to Oct. 29 without leaving Greater Los Angeles, while the squad hasn't left the state of California since playing at Portland on Sept. 10. 

STAYING CLOSE
The Bruins have shown a penchant for close games in recent times. Dating back to last season, UCLA has had 22 of the last 29 games (and 18 of the last 22) decided by one goal or fewer. UCLA's three-goal margin of victory over Liberty on Sept. 2, 2022 was its largest since taking down San Diego State 4-1 on Nov. 12, 2021. 

HOLDING IT DOWN
UCLA has allowed one goal or fewer in six consecutive games dating to Sept. 15's scoreless draw against Stanford. The Bruins have allowed just three goals total in that span, while going 3-2-1. This is the second time under Jorden that UCLA has gone six games in a row without conceding multiple goals, trailing only a seven-game streak from Aug. 29-Sept. 25, 2021 (four goals total).

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