UCLA Men’s Soccer Prepare for Pac-12 Matches
UCLA Men’s Soccer gears up for more Pac-12 action as they head up north to take on the University of California and Stanford University. The Bruins are coming off a win over San Diego State University with their first matchup versus Cal scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
College Soccer News: No. 17 UCLA Men’s Soccer are heading up north for a pair of Pac-12 conference matches versus the University of California and No. 16 Stanford. The Bruins will take on the Bears on Thursday, Oct. 13th at 4 p.m. PT and will end their road trip versus the Cardinal on Sunday, Oct. 16th at 5 p.m. PT.
The Bruins won their second-consecutive conference matchup on Saturday versus No. 13 San Diego State University on the road. Reggie Cannon sent in a cross that Jose Hernandez one-timed into the top-left corner in the 64th minute of play. Hernandez’s game-winning goal was just the fifth allowed by the Aztecs during the 2016 campaign as they ranked top-three in the country in goals-against average. Freshman Kevin Silva recorded his second shutout on six saves in just his second career start.
At the beginning of the week, Jackson Yueill ranked fifth in the nation in assists per game (0.60) and ninth in assists (6). As a team, the Bruins ranked 42nd in team goals against average (0.87), 43rd in save percentage (0.795), 46th in points per game (5.10) and 50th in scoring offense (1.70).
University of California is 4-4-2 this season but just 0-2-1 in Pac-12 play. The Bears are coming off a 2-1 road loss versus Washington on Sunday. Cal have the best goals per game average in the Pac-12 at 1.90 goals/game but are also last in goals against average at 1.80. The Bears are led by Christian Thierjung who is at the top of the conference in points (17) and goals (8).
UCLA is 42-15-6 all-time against California and split the season series last campaign with the Bears winning 4-3 at home and the Bruins winning 6-0 at Drake Stadium.
Stanford enters the week atop the table in the Pac-12 with a 3-0 start after edging Oregon State 1-0 in double overtime on Sunday. The Cardinal have yet to allow a goal during conference play with goalkeeper Andrew Epstein averaging just under three saves per contest against Pac-12 opponents. Foster Langsdorf leads the team with 15 points on seven goals.
UCLA is 44-7-10 all-time against Stanford and were 0-1-1 in the season series last year with the Bruins falling 2-1 at home and earning a 2-2 draw on the road.
