Thursday, November 15
Portland, OR
4:00 PM
UCLA
at
Portland (First Round)
UCLA opens the 2018 postseason with a road contest at No. 15 Portland on Thursday afternoon (photo: Don Liebig)
Photo by: Don Liebig/ASUCLA
UCLA Faces Portland in First Round NCAA Matchup
November 14, 2018 | Men's Soccer
GAME INFORMATION
2018 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament - First Round
UCLA (10-8-0) at No. 15 Portland (11-3-3)
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 – 4:00 p.m. PT
Location: Portland, Ore. (Merlo Field)
TV/Stream: TheW.tv
Live Stats: UCLABruins.com
Twitter Updates: @UCLAMSoccer
BRUINS EARN AT-LARGE BID, HEAD TO PORTLAND FOR FIRST ROUND
After going 10-8 overall in the regular season with a 5-5 mark in conference play, UCLA earned one of the 24 at-large bids into the 48-team NCAA Tournament field. 2018 represents the Bruins' 45th trip to the NCAA Tourney overall and 35th in the last 36 years. UCLA was drawn into a first round matchup at Portland. The Pilots were 11-3-3 overall and finished second in the West Coast Conference behind St. Mary's, the lone unbeaten team in college soccer to this point in the season. Kickoff between the Bruins and Pilots is set for 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 at Merlo Field in Portland, Ore. The winner of that contest heads to No. 3 national seed Kentucky for a second round matchup on Sunday. Live stats and a stream will both be available on UCLABruins.com while @UCLAMSoccer will provide live in-game Twitter updates.
WEEK IN REVIEW
UCLA played just one game in the final week of the regular season, falling 1-0 to San Diego State. UCLA's six graduating seniors - Erik Holt, Anderson Asiedu, Kike Poleo, Tobi Henneke, Joab Santoyo, and Cole Martinez - were honored in a pre-game ceremony. The Bruins were snakebitten for the second straight game, losing 1-0 despite out-chancing the opposing team heavily. UCLA ended the game with a 17-6 advantage in shots, including 13-0 in the second half after the Aztecs went a man down before the 50th minute on a second yellow card to Miles Stray. In the first half, UCLA had a goal wiped off on a questionable offside call, then had a penalty appeal turned away on a Joab Santoyo shot that hit a defender in the arm in the box. SDSU keeper Cameron Hogg made a pair of Grade-A saves - one on a Milan Iloski free kick and another on an Anderson Asiedu long-range drive - in the second half to deny the Bruins. UCLA also missed a PK in the second half. SDSU scored its lone goal of the game on a first half PK.
STARTING STRONG
The Bruins have done a fantastic job at restricting their opponents early in game, holding the opposition scoreless in the first half in 14 of 18 games this season. UCLA has scored first in 12 of its 18 contests, going 9-3 in those games.
AMAYA, HOLT HEADLINE UCLA'S EIGHT ALL-CONFERENCE PICKS
UCLA had eight players named to the 2018 Pac-12 All-Conference Team, led by First Team selections Erik Holt and Frankie Amaya. The Bruins had the most all-league picks of any team in the Pac, edging out Washington and Stanford (seven apiece). Midfielders Anderson Asiedu and Matt Hundley and forward Mohammed Kamara were Second Team picks while midfielder Eric Iloski and forward Milan Iloski were honorable mentions. It was the third career All-League honor for Holt (First Team in 2017, honorable mention in 2016), the second career nod for Asiedu (Second Team in 2017) Powell, and Eric Iloski (both 2017 honorable mentions), and the first career for the rest.
IN THE RANKINGS
This week UCLA appeared in the two most-prominent national polls, receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll while "earning consideration" in the Top Drawer Soccer Top-25. The Bruins were tabbed as the No. 8 team in the Far West in the United Soccer Coaches regional polls. Portland is ranked as high as No. 15 (College Soccer News) and is the No. 3 team in the West Region per the United Soccer Coaches regional polls. UCLA ended the regular season at No. 30 in the RPI, with Portland at No. 36.
BRUINS IN THE POSTSEASON
2018 marks the 45th time that UCLA has made the NCAA Tournament, the 35th time in the last 36 years, and the 14th time in 15 seasons under head coach Jorge Salcedo. The Bruins are 14-5 all-time in the first round of the tournament, winning four straight dating back to 2012. In all NCAA Tournament games, the Bruins are 69-39-8 (.635 winning percentage). Under Salcedo (since 2004), the Bruins are 19-10-4 including trips to the College Cup in 2006, 2011, and 2014 and national runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2014. UCLA has four national championships as a program (1985, 1990, 1997, 2002) and 116 as a department. Only three programs (St. Louis, Indiana, Virginia) have more national championships than UCLA's four.
CHECKING IN ON FRANKIE
UCLA freshman midfielder Frankie Amaya is away from the Bruins currently after being called up to the U.S. U-20 National Team by head coach Tab Ramos for the U-20 CONCACAF Championship at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The U.S. is the top seeded squad in the tourney, which is scheduled to run Nov. 1-21. The U.S. had played five games so far in the tournament, with Amaya starting three and appearing as a substitute in another. He made his debut earlier this year, participating in a two-week training camp in Spain in March and potting a goal against France while competing against Atletico Madrid's U-21 team. He was also recalled by Ramos for a three-game tournament at the IMG Academy in September. Hampered by an early season injury, Amaya has two goals and two assists in 11 games for the Bruins and was a candidate for the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
SIX BRUINS NAMED TO TOP DRAWER'S MIDSEASON TOP-100 PLAYER RANKINGS
Amateur soccer outlet Top Drawer Soccer published its men's college top-100 player rankings in mid October, and over half of UCLA's Starting XI was included. Holt was named No. 53 on the upperclassmen list, the exact same spot he was named to in the preseason rankings. Kamara made his debut at No. 93 on the upperclassmen list. A quartet of Bruins were named to the freshmen top-100: Frankie Amaya (No. 9), Justin Garces (No. 14), Matt Hundley (No. 36), and AJ Vasquez (No. 50). Nationally, UCLA had the second-most honorees on the freshmen list and twice as many as any other Pac-12 school.
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
UCLA has an increased amount of depth on the roster this year, evidenced by the 11 different players to score a goal this year, with the team's 10 game-winners spread among seven players. No other Pac-12 team has more goalscorers than UCLA's 11.
WALLIS ANNENBERG STADIUM OPENS FOR 2018 SEASON
After playing home games at Drake Stadium from 2000-17, the UCLA soccer teams have moved into a new home, Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The stadium, which seats 2,145, is located at the previously-named North Athletic Field, where UCLA played selected home games from 1967-99. The stadium was made possible thanks to a $5 million lead gift from the Annenberg Foundation. The just-completed first phase of the stadium project includes grandstands and a press box on the west side, a Daktronics LED video board and Musco Sports lighting. Future phases of the stadium project may include expanded seating, a training room, student-athlete locker room, coaches' locker rooms, meeting spaces, ticketing space, and a new press box.
HUNDLEY UNFAZED IN FRESHMAN SEASON
In his debut season, midfielder Matt Hundley has proven himself to be one of the top freshman offensive threats in the country. The Littleton, Colo. native leads UCLA and is tied for first among true Pac-12 freshmen with 17 points. He also paces the league in assists (seven). He is ninth nationally in scoring among freshmen, and only two freshmen nationwide has more assists than him. Hundley has a point in six of UCLA's last 13 games. Hundley recently recorded two goals and an assist against LMU; paired with his season-opening five-point performance at Coastal Carolina, Hundley is now the first Bruin player to log multiple five-point efforts in a season since current assistant coach Matt Taylor in 2003. His opening day debut made him just the third Bruin in the last five years to record five points in a game, the first to do so on Opening Day since current assistant coach Matt Taylor had a trick in 2003, and the only Bruin frosh this millenium with five points on Opening Day.
KAMARA MAKES STRONG IMPRESSION
Junior forward Mohammed Kamara has displayed his lethal offensive ability ever since coming stateside. The Tyler JC transfer -- he had 70 goals in 44 games and led Tyler to back-to-back national championships while winning NJCAA National Player of the Year honors in 2017 -- has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the Bruins. He started with four goals in his first four games, including a debut goal that made No. 2 on the Sportscenter Top-10. Injuries limited him to two starts over a six week span in September and October, then he started three straight games for the Bruins before sitting out the season finale due to yellow card accumulation. Kamara has five goals and one assist for 11 points on the year.
WE DON'T LIKE TIES
UCLA is one of 30 NCAA teams without a draw on its ledger this season. The Bruins have gone to overtime just twice this season, playing a combined total of just 11:18 in extra time.
THE SERIES AGAINST THE PILOTS
The Bruins are 8-1-1 all-time against Portland, going 6-0-1 in the regular season and 2-1-0 in the postseason. UCLA's lone loss to the Pilots came in the second round of the 1988 NCAA Tournament, as UP came out on top 2-0 in Portland. Though they've played 10 times overall, the Bruins and Pilots haven't met in over 15 years, last playing on Sept. 21, 2003 with UCLA winning 2-0. UCLA has won six straight dating back to that 1988 loss in NCAAs. UCLA is 1-1 all-time in Seattle, winning the second-ever matchup between the two in 1980 and falling in the 1988 NCAAs. The Bruins scored postseason victories over UP in both 1989 and 1991, the latter serving as the last NCAA Tournament match-up between the two.
LAST TIME OUT
UCLA and Portland last faced off 2003, as the Bruins shut out the Pilots 2-0 on Sept. 21 at Drake Stadium. Benny Feilhaber opened the scoring in the 58th minute, then Matt Taylor doubled the lead two minutes later. UP hurt its chances to come back after going a man down in the 73rd minute. Taylor, now an assistant coach for UCLA, is the last Bruin to score a goal against Portland.
SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS
UCLA has consistently won the shots battle against its opponents this season. The Bruins have outshot the opposition in 13 of 18 games this year and have allowed more shots on goal than they've taken in just three games. For the year, UCLA has a sizable 241-159 edge in shots over its opponents, which translates to an advantage of almost five shots per game (13.4 to 8.8).
FEELING LIKE A 10
The Nov. 1 victory over California was the 10th of the season for UCLA, giiving the Bruins double-digit victories in every season but two since 1960. All-time, UCLA has an NCAA-record 979 wins as a program. Conversely, UCLA can finish with no more than nine losses for the season. The Bruins have just two 10-loss years on the books all-time (since 1937).
AGAINST THE NCAA FIELD
UCLA played four teams in the regular season who made the 48-team NCAA Tournament field, accruing a record of 3-4 (Oregon State: 1-1; Stanford: 0-2; Maryland: 1-0; Washington: 1-1). Including exhibition games (wins over NCAA-bound Grand Canyon and UC Irvine), UCLA is 5-4 against 2018 postseason participants.
BRUINS BRING IN NATION'S TOP RECRUITING CLASS
Featuring four of the top-20 ranked academy players in the country, UCLA's 2018 recruiting class was deemed the best in the country by Top Drawer Soccer. This is the seventh time under Salcedo that UCLA has brought in the top class in the nation. Standouts include 2017 NJCAA National Player of the Year Mohammed Kamara (Tyler JC) and freshmen Frankie Amaya (No. 6 national prospect / Pateadores Academy), Justin Garces (No. 16 prospect / Atlanta United Academy), Matt Hundley (No. 18 prospect / Colorado Rapids Academy), and AJ Vasquez (No. 19 prospect / FC Golden State Academy), all of whom have national team experience. Other heralded newcomers include freshman midfielder Cody Sundquist, Santa Monica City College transfer Carlos Rincon, freshman defender Paul Caspar, and Division I transfers Alexis Triadis (Hartford) and Aristides Costeas (St. John's).
DEFENSE LED BY EXPERIENCED TRIO
UCLA's solid defensive numbers in 2018 - the Bruins have allowed one goal or fewer in 13 of 18 games - have been keyed by a reliable trio in the back. Senior Erik Holt, redshirt junior Matthew Powell, and sophomore Brandon Terwege have all started every game so far this season, the only Bruins to do so. Terwege, an outside back, and Holt, who has shuffled between center back and holding mid, co-lead the team with 1,594 minutes played. In other words, that duo has been on the field for all but 38 of the Bruins' 1,633 team minutes this season, or 98%. Powell, another center back/holding mid hybrid, is not far behind them with 1,586 minutes. Freshman AJ Vasquez has also been reliable as an outside back, playing 1,369 minutes in his debut season.
HOLT RECEIVES PLENTY OF PRESEASON RECOGNITION
One of UCLA's top returners, senior defender Erik Holt received plenty of preseason publicity ahead of his last season in Westwood. Chiefly, he was named to the MAC Hermann Award Watch List. The MAC Hermann Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. Past Bruin winners include Leo Stolz (2014), Sasha Victorine (1999), and Brad Friedel (1992). In addition, Holt was selected to the College Soccer News Preseason All-America Third Team. This season, he is second on the team with three assists. He entered the year with two career assists.
2018 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament - First Round
UCLA (10-8-0) at No. 15 Portland (11-3-3)
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 – 4:00 p.m. PT
Location: Portland, Ore. (Merlo Field)
TV/Stream: TheW.tv
Live Stats: UCLABruins.com
Twitter Updates: @UCLAMSoccer
BRUINS EARN AT-LARGE BID, HEAD TO PORTLAND FOR FIRST ROUND
After going 10-8 overall in the regular season with a 5-5 mark in conference play, UCLA earned one of the 24 at-large bids into the 48-team NCAA Tournament field. 2018 represents the Bruins' 45th trip to the NCAA Tourney overall and 35th in the last 36 years. UCLA was drawn into a first round matchup at Portland. The Pilots were 11-3-3 overall and finished second in the West Coast Conference behind St. Mary's, the lone unbeaten team in college soccer to this point in the season. Kickoff between the Bruins and Pilots is set for 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 at Merlo Field in Portland, Ore. The winner of that contest heads to No. 3 national seed Kentucky for a second round matchup on Sunday. Live stats and a stream will both be available on UCLABruins.com while @UCLAMSoccer will provide live in-game Twitter updates.
WEEK IN REVIEW
UCLA played just one game in the final week of the regular season, falling 1-0 to San Diego State. UCLA's six graduating seniors - Erik Holt, Anderson Asiedu, Kike Poleo, Tobi Henneke, Joab Santoyo, and Cole Martinez - were honored in a pre-game ceremony. The Bruins were snakebitten for the second straight game, losing 1-0 despite out-chancing the opposing team heavily. UCLA ended the game with a 17-6 advantage in shots, including 13-0 in the second half after the Aztecs went a man down before the 50th minute on a second yellow card to Miles Stray. In the first half, UCLA had a goal wiped off on a questionable offside call, then had a penalty appeal turned away on a Joab Santoyo shot that hit a defender in the arm in the box. SDSU keeper Cameron Hogg made a pair of Grade-A saves - one on a Milan Iloski free kick and another on an Anderson Asiedu long-range drive - in the second half to deny the Bruins. UCLA also missed a PK in the second half. SDSU scored its lone goal of the game on a first half PK.
STARTING STRONG
The Bruins have done a fantastic job at restricting their opponents early in game, holding the opposition scoreless in the first half in 14 of 18 games this season. UCLA has scored first in 12 of its 18 contests, going 9-3 in those games.
AMAYA, HOLT HEADLINE UCLA'S EIGHT ALL-CONFERENCE PICKS
UCLA had eight players named to the 2018 Pac-12 All-Conference Team, led by First Team selections Erik Holt and Frankie Amaya. The Bruins had the most all-league picks of any team in the Pac, edging out Washington and Stanford (seven apiece). Midfielders Anderson Asiedu and Matt Hundley and forward Mohammed Kamara were Second Team picks while midfielder Eric Iloski and forward Milan Iloski were honorable mentions. It was the third career All-League honor for Holt (First Team in 2017, honorable mention in 2016), the second career nod for Asiedu (Second Team in 2017) Powell, and Eric Iloski (both 2017 honorable mentions), and the first career for the rest.
IN THE RANKINGS
This week UCLA appeared in the two most-prominent national polls, receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll while "earning consideration" in the Top Drawer Soccer Top-25. The Bruins were tabbed as the No. 8 team in the Far West in the United Soccer Coaches regional polls. Portland is ranked as high as No. 15 (College Soccer News) and is the No. 3 team in the West Region per the United Soccer Coaches regional polls. UCLA ended the regular season at No. 30 in the RPI, with Portland at No. 36.
BRUINS IN THE POSTSEASON
2018 marks the 45th time that UCLA has made the NCAA Tournament, the 35th time in the last 36 years, and the 14th time in 15 seasons under head coach Jorge Salcedo. The Bruins are 14-5 all-time in the first round of the tournament, winning four straight dating back to 2012. In all NCAA Tournament games, the Bruins are 69-39-8 (.635 winning percentage). Under Salcedo (since 2004), the Bruins are 19-10-4 including trips to the College Cup in 2006, 2011, and 2014 and national runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2014. UCLA has four national championships as a program (1985, 1990, 1997, 2002) and 116 as a department. Only three programs (St. Louis, Indiana, Virginia) have more national championships than UCLA's four.
CHECKING IN ON FRANKIE
UCLA freshman midfielder Frankie Amaya is away from the Bruins currently after being called up to the U.S. U-20 National Team by head coach Tab Ramos for the U-20 CONCACAF Championship at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The U.S. is the top seeded squad in the tourney, which is scheduled to run Nov. 1-21. The U.S. had played five games so far in the tournament, with Amaya starting three and appearing as a substitute in another. He made his debut earlier this year, participating in a two-week training camp in Spain in March and potting a goal against France while competing against Atletico Madrid's U-21 team. He was also recalled by Ramos for a three-game tournament at the IMG Academy in September. Hampered by an early season injury, Amaya has two goals and two assists in 11 games for the Bruins and was a candidate for the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
SIX BRUINS NAMED TO TOP DRAWER'S MIDSEASON TOP-100 PLAYER RANKINGS
Amateur soccer outlet Top Drawer Soccer published its men's college top-100 player rankings in mid October, and over half of UCLA's Starting XI was included. Holt was named No. 53 on the upperclassmen list, the exact same spot he was named to in the preseason rankings. Kamara made his debut at No. 93 on the upperclassmen list. A quartet of Bruins were named to the freshmen top-100: Frankie Amaya (No. 9), Justin Garces (No. 14), Matt Hundley (No. 36), and AJ Vasquez (No. 50). Nationally, UCLA had the second-most honorees on the freshmen list and twice as many as any other Pac-12 school.
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
UCLA has an increased amount of depth on the roster this year, evidenced by the 11 different players to score a goal this year, with the team's 10 game-winners spread among seven players. No other Pac-12 team has more goalscorers than UCLA's 11.
WALLIS ANNENBERG STADIUM OPENS FOR 2018 SEASON
After playing home games at Drake Stadium from 2000-17, the UCLA soccer teams have moved into a new home, Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The stadium, which seats 2,145, is located at the previously-named North Athletic Field, where UCLA played selected home games from 1967-99. The stadium was made possible thanks to a $5 million lead gift from the Annenberg Foundation. The just-completed first phase of the stadium project includes grandstands and a press box on the west side, a Daktronics LED video board and Musco Sports lighting. Future phases of the stadium project may include expanded seating, a training room, student-athlete locker room, coaches' locker rooms, meeting spaces, ticketing space, and a new press box.
HUNDLEY UNFAZED IN FRESHMAN SEASON
In his debut season, midfielder Matt Hundley has proven himself to be one of the top freshman offensive threats in the country. The Littleton, Colo. native leads UCLA and is tied for first among true Pac-12 freshmen with 17 points. He also paces the league in assists (seven). He is ninth nationally in scoring among freshmen, and only two freshmen nationwide has more assists than him. Hundley has a point in six of UCLA's last 13 games. Hundley recently recorded two goals and an assist against LMU; paired with his season-opening five-point performance at Coastal Carolina, Hundley is now the first Bruin player to log multiple five-point efforts in a season since current assistant coach Matt Taylor in 2003. His opening day debut made him just the third Bruin in the last five years to record five points in a game, the first to do so on Opening Day since current assistant coach Matt Taylor had a trick in 2003, and the only Bruin frosh this millenium with five points on Opening Day.
KAMARA MAKES STRONG IMPRESSION
Junior forward Mohammed Kamara has displayed his lethal offensive ability ever since coming stateside. The Tyler JC transfer -- he had 70 goals in 44 games and led Tyler to back-to-back national championships while winning NJCAA National Player of the Year honors in 2017 -- has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the Bruins. He started with four goals in his first four games, including a debut goal that made No. 2 on the Sportscenter Top-10. Injuries limited him to two starts over a six week span in September and October, then he started three straight games for the Bruins before sitting out the season finale due to yellow card accumulation. Kamara has five goals and one assist for 11 points on the year.
WE DON'T LIKE TIES
UCLA is one of 30 NCAA teams without a draw on its ledger this season. The Bruins have gone to overtime just twice this season, playing a combined total of just 11:18 in extra time.
THE SERIES AGAINST THE PILOTS
The Bruins are 8-1-1 all-time against Portland, going 6-0-1 in the regular season and 2-1-0 in the postseason. UCLA's lone loss to the Pilots came in the second round of the 1988 NCAA Tournament, as UP came out on top 2-0 in Portland. Though they've played 10 times overall, the Bruins and Pilots haven't met in over 15 years, last playing on Sept. 21, 2003 with UCLA winning 2-0. UCLA has won six straight dating back to that 1988 loss in NCAAs. UCLA is 1-1 all-time in Seattle, winning the second-ever matchup between the two in 1980 and falling in the 1988 NCAAs. The Bruins scored postseason victories over UP in both 1989 and 1991, the latter serving as the last NCAA Tournament match-up between the two.
LAST TIME OUT
UCLA and Portland last faced off 2003, as the Bruins shut out the Pilots 2-0 on Sept. 21 at Drake Stadium. Benny Feilhaber opened the scoring in the 58th minute, then Matt Taylor doubled the lead two minutes later. UP hurt its chances to come back after going a man down in the 73rd minute. Taylor, now an assistant coach for UCLA, is the last Bruin to score a goal against Portland.
SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS
UCLA has consistently won the shots battle against its opponents this season. The Bruins have outshot the opposition in 13 of 18 games this year and have allowed more shots on goal than they've taken in just three games. For the year, UCLA has a sizable 241-159 edge in shots over its opponents, which translates to an advantage of almost five shots per game (13.4 to 8.8).
FEELING LIKE A 10
The Nov. 1 victory over California was the 10th of the season for UCLA, giiving the Bruins double-digit victories in every season but two since 1960. All-time, UCLA has an NCAA-record 979 wins as a program. Conversely, UCLA can finish with no more than nine losses for the season. The Bruins have just two 10-loss years on the books all-time (since 1937).
AGAINST THE NCAA FIELD
UCLA played four teams in the regular season who made the 48-team NCAA Tournament field, accruing a record of 3-4 (Oregon State: 1-1; Stanford: 0-2; Maryland: 1-0; Washington: 1-1). Including exhibition games (wins over NCAA-bound Grand Canyon and UC Irvine), UCLA is 5-4 against 2018 postseason participants.
BRUINS BRING IN NATION'S TOP RECRUITING CLASS
Featuring four of the top-20 ranked academy players in the country, UCLA's 2018 recruiting class was deemed the best in the country by Top Drawer Soccer. This is the seventh time under Salcedo that UCLA has brought in the top class in the nation. Standouts include 2017 NJCAA National Player of the Year Mohammed Kamara (Tyler JC) and freshmen Frankie Amaya (No. 6 national prospect / Pateadores Academy), Justin Garces (No. 16 prospect / Atlanta United Academy), Matt Hundley (No. 18 prospect / Colorado Rapids Academy), and AJ Vasquez (No. 19 prospect / FC Golden State Academy), all of whom have national team experience. Other heralded newcomers include freshman midfielder Cody Sundquist, Santa Monica City College transfer Carlos Rincon, freshman defender Paul Caspar, and Division I transfers Alexis Triadis (Hartford) and Aristides Costeas (St. John's).
DEFENSE LED BY EXPERIENCED TRIO
UCLA's solid defensive numbers in 2018 - the Bruins have allowed one goal or fewer in 13 of 18 games - have been keyed by a reliable trio in the back. Senior Erik Holt, redshirt junior Matthew Powell, and sophomore Brandon Terwege have all started every game so far this season, the only Bruins to do so. Terwege, an outside back, and Holt, who has shuffled between center back and holding mid, co-lead the team with 1,594 minutes played. In other words, that duo has been on the field for all but 38 of the Bruins' 1,633 team minutes this season, or 98%. Powell, another center back/holding mid hybrid, is not far behind them with 1,586 minutes. Freshman AJ Vasquez has also been reliable as an outside back, playing 1,369 minutes in his debut season.
HOLT RECEIVES PLENTY OF PRESEASON RECOGNITION
One of UCLA's top returners, senior defender Erik Holt received plenty of preseason publicity ahead of his last season in Westwood. Chiefly, he was named to the MAC Hermann Award Watch List. The MAC Hermann Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. Past Bruin winners include Leo Stolz (2014), Sasha Victorine (1999), and Brad Friedel (1992). In addition, Holt was selected to the College Soccer News Preseason All-America Third Team. This season, he is second on the team with three assists. He entered the year with two career assists.
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