UCLA
10-9-0
Portland (First Round)
12-3-3
UCLA's Season Comes to a Close With 1-0 Loss to Portland
November 15, 2018 | Men's Soccer
Portland, Ore. – The UCLA men's soccer team suffered an agonizingly familiar loss in Thursday evening's NCAA Tournament First Round game at Merlo Field, dropping a close 1-0 decision to Portland despite an advantage in time of possession.
The Bruins end their season with a record of 10-9-0. Portland meanwhile improves to 12-3-3 and will advanced to face No. 3 national seed Kentucky in the Second Round on Sunday.
Similar to the final two games of the regular season, UCLA out-shot and out-chanced the opposition but through a combination of bad luck – UCLA hit yet another crossbar on Thursday – and standout play from the opposition keeper – UP keeper Kienan Weekes had six saves in the game, few of them easy – the Bruins were unable to find the back of the net.
"Tonight was a tough way to end our season, it was a snapshot of so many of our matches this year," said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. "We have created so many chances that have not been converted into goals over and over this season. Once again we hit the woodwork and have several clear chances, but could not finish. Credit to Portland for scoring and bending but not breaking tonight."
The Pilots converted the lone goal of the game in the 31st minute. Alejandro Pereira keyed the goal, picking off a UCLA pass in Portland's offensive third and then making a run at net. Pereira was able to hook up with Benji Michel on an overlapping run to get behind the Bruin back line, and Michel slipped a left-footed shot past UCLA keeper Justin Garces for the game-winning tally.
Despite allowing the goal, Garces was arguably the Bruins' top player in the first half, making a pair of Grade-A saves midway through the opening stanza to keep UCLA within striking distance. Garces would be removed in the second half after catching a cleat in the face while sliding for a 50-50 ball, and senior Cole Martinez made three saves in relief.
Senior wingback Joab Santoyo lent an assist to both his keepers, making a highlight-reel goal line clearance in each half.
UCLA was at its most dangerous in the second half, particularly in the middle portion as the Bruins reeled off dangerous chance after dangerous chance.
Sophomore forward Milan Iloski found himself within inches of a goal on two consecutive plays. First, he hammered a goal-bound shot to the top shelf in the 59th minute, but Weekes got his fingertips on the drive and nudged it over the bar. Less than a minute later, Iloski ripped a left-footed shot that beat Weekes but clanged off the crossbar.
Junior forward Mohammed Kamara created a pair of dangerous chances himself thanks to fancy footwork in the box, but Weekes was up to the task each time Kamara got a step on his defender.
UCLA's offensive opportunities weren't limited to that duo, as five Bruins ended the night with multiple shots.
Six Bruins participated in their final collegiate contest on Thursday: team captain Erik Holt, Santoyo, Martinez, senior midfielder Kike Poleo, redshirt junior Tobi Henneke, and senior midfielder Anderson Asiedu.
"We say goodbye to our seniors, who all played their hearts out tonight," said Salcedo. "They leave our program having made a huge impact on UCLA."
Team Stats
MICHEL, Benji (11)
Assisted By: PEREIRA, Alejandro
through pass from 9 finished by 19 into
30:45
