UCLA hits the road again as they make their way to South Carolina to face number 10 ranked Clemson.

UCLA defeated UNLV 1-0 thanks to a penalty kick by Brian Iloski. While the Bruins won the game, it was not their best performance. In the first half alone, they only recorded three shots and it was not until the second half when the Bruins picked up the intensity and recorded 10 shots.

Attempt after attempt and shot after shot, the Bruin offense could not break down the Rebels defense.

UNLV goalkeeper had possibly one of his best performances after making six crucial saves.

While the Bruin offense worked overtime to make a goal happen, the defense had to put in some work of their own. Goalkeeper Kevin Silva made a total of four saves to keep the Rebels off the scoresheet. By doing so, the Bruins recorded their first shutout of the season.

Now, after being home for a game, UCLA packs up again to head south to face another Top 10 team. The Clemson offense has been on a hot streak so far this season. After only six games, the Tigers have registered 11 goals while UCLA has eight. In those same six games, Clemson has allowed only four goals while UCLA has allowed seven. That’s almost the same number of goals scored.

The last time the two teams met was back in 2006. UCLA won the game 3-0 at home in Los Angeles. The last time Clemson defeated the Bruins was all the way back in December 1984 in Los Angeles 4-1. UCLA leads the all-time series 5-1-0.

While in the past UCLA dominated over Clemson, the tides have turned. UCLA has not been the dominating force as it used to be. Instead, the Bruins are currently playing, dare I say it, mediocre. So much talent, yet they can’t mesh together. This seems to be the theme not only this season but over the last couple of years.

In this showdown, Clemson holds the upper hand. The Bruin defense will be working overtime this game to shutout an offense who has been on fire with 11 goals. The offense will need to play like it did in the season opener against San Francisco. They netted five goals that game. Now more than ever is it important to get this program up on its feet and back to its glory days.