Tonight, the UCLA Men’s Soccer team travels up the 101 to Santa Barbara to face the UCSB Gauchos. The Bruins will look to rebound from a 2-1 loss to Cal State Northridge on Sunday.
Last Time Out
UCLA took an early 1-0 lead when Matt Hundley scored on a penalty kick in the 25th minute. The game stayed 1-0, Bruins into the 61st minute when Wolfgang Prentice hammered home a rebound off a save by UCLA goalkeeper Justin Garces.
About five minutes later, Daniel Trejo put the Matadors ahead for the first time in the game.
Unfortunately, UCLA was unable to tie the game back up and the game ended with the score 2-1 in favor of Cal State Northridge.
UC Santa Barbara
So far this season, the Gauchos have yet to lose at home where they are 3-0. At the same time, they aren’t a very high scoring team. UCSB is averaging just over one goal per game, while the Bruins are averaging 2.33 goals per game.
There are only four players on the Gauchos’ roster who have scored so far this season. UCSB’s leading scorer is sophomore Rodney Michael who has netted three goals. Junior Faouzi Taieb and freshman Carter Clemmensen have each scored two goals a piece. Junior Migel Gomez has UCSB’s other goal.
Look for the Gauchos to start freshman Ben Roach in goal. Roach is the only goalkeeper who has played so far this season for UC Santa Barbara. He’s averaging 0.83 goals per game and has an 81% save percentage. So, he could cause problems tonight for the Bruins’ offense.
Outlook
The goalkeeping for both teams has been excellent. This game could come down to who starts in goal for the Bruins. Cole Martinez has been the stingier of UCLA’s two keepers.
Of course, Hundley and Mohammed Kamara will look to get things going for the Bruins.
UCLA should try to get on the board as early as possible and, then, shutdown the Gaucho offense. I think this one will be close. How close? Well, I’m going to say 2-1, Bruins.
This is your UCLA men’s soccer vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos open thread.
Go Bruins!!!