LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer opened their 2022 campaign at No. 23 UCLA Thursday night, but were left off the scoreboard in a 1-0 defeat at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.
STALEMATE
The Anteaters and Bruins jousted for the first 20 minutes each whipping a shot wide of frame as the sides felt each other out and commanded possession. A flurry of chances came after the match was 20 minutes in, but many were blocked or sailed aside.
The first chance on frame came in the closing minutes of the half that needed
Luke Pruter to knock it aside before it was cleared to preserve the 0-0 scoreline in the 40th minute.
HOME ADVANTAGE
UCLA (1-0) made the first move coming early in the second half. They came out the aggressors with four shots in the first five minutes and two more that Pruter denied to keep the match level.
In the 52nd minute, a cross from Jose Sosa landed to Kevin Diaz who found the back of the net on a header to break the deadlock and go up, 1-0.
The 'Eaters (0-1) looked to answer, but could not penetrate the stout Bruin defense. The only shot they were able to muster came directly after the goal from
Ashish Chattha, but that was wide of frame as UC Irvine did not register a shot on target in the match.
FINAL SCORE: #23 UCLA 1, UC IRVINE 0
For a second straight season, the 'Eaters were downed by UCLA by a final ine of 1-0. The Bruins claim their 18th win in the 22nd matchup in the series.
Pruter draws the loss in net despite four saves. The Anteaters were out-shot, 12-5, while committing eight fouls to five. Both sides earned four corners. Making their debuts for the Anteaters were transfers
Robert Mejia and
Samuel Atiye. Joining Mejia in the starting lineup were
Diego Otoya and
Agaton Pourshahidi who made their collegiate debuts and one other coming off the bench in
Isaac Powell.
Next up for UC Irvine is a trip to the Midwest to face another ranked opponent, No. 19 Missouri State, as they play Sunday, August 18, in Springfield, Mo. at 5:00 p.m.
