Thursday, November 8
Los Angeles, CA
8:00 PM
UCLA
vs
San Diego State
UCLA plays its last regular season game on Thursday night (photo: Scott Chandler)
Photo by: Scott Chandler
UCLA Finishes Regular Season, Hosts SDSU
November 07, 2018 | Men's Soccer
GAME INFORMATION
UCLA (10-7-0, 5-4-0) vs. San Diego State (6-10-1, 1-8-0)
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 – 8:00 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, Calif. (Wallis Annenberg Stadium)
TV/Stream: Pac-12 Networks
Commentary: Jim Watson (play-by-play), Cobi Jones (color)
Live Stats: UCLABruins.com
Radio: UCLABruins.com
Radio Commentary: Nick Koop
Twitter Updates: @UCLAMSoccer
BRUINS FACE SAN DIEGO STATE IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE
UCLA wraps up the regular season this week, hosting San Diego State on Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks, while fans can also follow along with live stats and an audio broadcast on UCLABruins.com and Twitter updates at @UCLAMSoccer. UCLA won its prior contest against the Aztecs on Oct. 13 by a score of 2-1. The Bruins' five seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony approximately 20 minutes before game time.
LOOKING AHEAD
After Thursday's clash, UCLA will wait to learn its fate in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Division I men's soccer selection show is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. The show can be streamed on NCAA.com.
WEEK IN REVIEW
UCLA split a pair of home games last week, topping California 1-0 on Thursday night before falling by the same scoreline to Stanford on Sunday evening. UCLA comfortably controlled the run of play against Cal, but had to wait until the dying minutes of the game for a breakthrough goal. Sophomore forward Santiago Herrera was the one to find the net in the 87th minute, redirecting an Eric Iloski cross into the net with his back to goal, to secure the result. Justin Garces made a trio of saves to record UCLA's sixth shutout of the year. The Bruins suffered a tough-luck loss against the Cardinal, outshooting the visitors 21-10 and seeing four near-goals -- two posts, one crossbar, and one goal-line clearance -- stay out of the net. A second half goal from Zach Ryan and six standout saves from keeper Andrew Thomas proved to be the difference for Stanford.
SAYONARA, SENIORS
Before the game starts on Thursday, UCLA will bid adieux to its five departing seniors who will be taking part in their final regular season contest as Bruins. UCLA's senior class includes:
• Captain Erik Holt, a two-way holding midfielder/center back who is a Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year nominee and has also contributed a career-high three assists this year.
• Anderson Asiedu, a possession-driving central midfielder. He was an All-Pac-12 selection last year, his first as a Bruin, and has played a key part in the center of the park for UCLA this season.
• Kike Poleo, a midfielder from Miami, Fla. He has 30 career games with the Bruins, including a pair of goals. His first of 2018 was a game-winner off the post against Oregon State.
• Joab Santoyo, a two-year starter and right wingback on the 2018 Bruins. He has three points this season and 40 career games in a Bruin uniform.
• Cole Martinez, who has recorded career-bests in games (six), save percentage (.643) and GAA (1.00) this season.
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 17 games this season. UCLA has scored first in 12 of its 17 contests, going 9-3 in those games.
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. San Diego State is unranked in all polls.
RPI REPORT
Despite splitting its two games last week, UCLA jumped two spots in this week's RPI to No. 21. This is the seventh week of public RPI rankings. The Bruins have the second-best RPI (behind No. 4 Stanford) in the Pac-12 and the third-best in the West (behind Stanford and No. 17 UC Irvine). RPI is the key metric used to determine at-large selections into the NCAA Tournament. This week's opponent, San Diego State, is ranked No. 106 in the RPI.
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 three games so far in the tournament, with Amaya starting in the USA's 13-0 win over the Virgin Islands and coming off the bench for the team's 6-1 triumph over Trinidad & Tobago. This is the third appearance with the U20 MNT for Amaya. 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 is 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). 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 Pac-12 freshmen with 17 points. He also paces the league in assists (seven). He is ninth nationally in scoring among freshmen, and only one freshman nationwide has more assists than him (UNLV's Nico Clasen - 9). Hundley has a point in six of UCLA's last 12 games despite coming off the bench in half those contests. 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. He has started the last three games for the Bruins but will miss Thursday's 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 32 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.
LAST TIME OUT
UCLA outlasted San Diego State for a 2-1 overtime victory on Oct. 13 at the SDSU Sports Deck in San Diego, Calif. The Bruins and Aztecs finished the contest tied 9-9 in shots, but the final drive of the game - from UCLA's Cody Sundquist - resulted in a golden goal for the Bruins. Sundquist, a freshman midfielder, got his foot on a Joab Santoyo cross and poked it into the net on the first shot of the extra period. It was UCLA's first overtime game of the year, and at the time it put the Bruins into sole possession of first place in the Pac-12. Frankie Amaya opened the game's scoring, chipping the keeper 33 seconds into the second half. SDSU equalized and sent the game into OT with a 72nd minute goal from Adam Vargas.
SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS
UCLA has consistently won the possession and shots battle against its opponents this season. The Bruins have outshot the opposition in 12 of 17 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 224-153 edge in shots over its opponents, which translates to an advantage of over four shots per game (13.2 to 9.0).
FEELING LIKE A 10
Thursday's victory 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).
ANTAGONIZING THE AZTECS
The Bruins have dominated the all-time series aganist SDSU, losing just six times in 60 all-time matchups. UCLA has been unbeatable at home against SDSU since Jorge Salcedo took over in 2004, with the Bruins going an undefeated 8-0-5 in home games against the Aztecs over that span. More recently, UCLA has won seven of its last eight homes games against SDSU.
WALLIS ANNENBERG FORTRESS
UCLA has been solid at limiting its opponents' offense - the Bruins have held the opposition to one goal or fewer in 12 of 17 games - but have proven to be extremely difficult to score on at home. In nine home games, the Bruin have an overall goals against average of 0.67, have recorded four shutouts, and have held opponents to one goal or fewer eight times.
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).
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.
UCLA (10-7-0, 5-4-0) vs. San Diego State (6-10-1, 1-8-0)
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 – 8:00 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, Calif. (Wallis Annenberg Stadium)
TV/Stream: Pac-12 Networks
Commentary: Jim Watson (play-by-play), Cobi Jones (color)
Live Stats: UCLABruins.com
Radio: UCLABruins.com
Radio Commentary: Nick Koop
Twitter Updates: @UCLAMSoccer
BRUINS FACE SAN DIEGO STATE IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE
UCLA wraps up the regular season this week, hosting San Diego State on Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks, while fans can also follow along with live stats and an audio broadcast on UCLABruins.com and Twitter updates at @UCLAMSoccer. UCLA won its prior contest against the Aztecs on Oct. 13 by a score of 2-1. The Bruins' five seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony approximately 20 minutes before game time.
LOOKING AHEAD
After Thursday's clash, UCLA will wait to learn its fate in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Division I men's soccer selection show is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. The show can be streamed on NCAA.com.
WEEK IN REVIEW
UCLA split a pair of home games last week, topping California 1-0 on Thursday night before falling by the same scoreline to Stanford on Sunday evening. UCLA comfortably controlled the run of play against Cal, but had to wait until the dying minutes of the game for a breakthrough goal. Sophomore forward Santiago Herrera was the one to find the net in the 87th minute, redirecting an Eric Iloski cross into the net with his back to goal, to secure the result. Justin Garces made a trio of saves to record UCLA's sixth shutout of the year. The Bruins suffered a tough-luck loss against the Cardinal, outshooting the visitors 21-10 and seeing four near-goals -- two posts, one crossbar, and one goal-line clearance -- stay out of the net. A second half goal from Zach Ryan and six standout saves from keeper Andrew Thomas proved to be the difference for Stanford.
SAYONARA, SENIORS
Before the game starts on Thursday, UCLA will bid adieux to its five departing seniors who will be taking part in their final regular season contest as Bruins. UCLA's senior class includes:
• Captain Erik Holt, a two-way holding midfielder/center back who is a Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year nominee and has also contributed a career-high three assists this year.
• Anderson Asiedu, a possession-driving central midfielder. He was an All-Pac-12 selection last year, his first as a Bruin, and has played a key part in the center of the park for UCLA this season.
• Kike Poleo, a midfielder from Miami, Fla. He has 30 career games with the Bruins, including a pair of goals. His first of 2018 was a game-winner off the post against Oregon State.
• Joab Santoyo, a two-year starter and right wingback on the 2018 Bruins. He has three points this season and 40 career games in a Bruin uniform.
• Cole Martinez, who has recorded career-bests in games (six), save percentage (.643) and GAA (1.00) this season.
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 17 games this season. UCLA has scored first in 12 of its 17 contests, going 9-3 in those games.
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. San Diego State is unranked in all polls.
RPI REPORT
Despite splitting its two games last week, UCLA jumped two spots in this week's RPI to No. 21. This is the seventh week of public RPI rankings. The Bruins have the second-best RPI (behind No. 4 Stanford) in the Pac-12 and the third-best in the West (behind Stanford and No. 17 UC Irvine). RPI is the key metric used to determine at-large selections into the NCAA Tournament. This week's opponent, San Diego State, is ranked No. 106 in the RPI.
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 three games so far in the tournament, with Amaya starting in the USA's 13-0 win over the Virgin Islands and coming off the bench for the team's 6-1 triumph over Trinidad & Tobago. This is the third appearance with the U20 MNT for Amaya. 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 is 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). 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 Pac-12 freshmen with 17 points. He also paces the league in assists (seven). He is ninth nationally in scoring among freshmen, and only one freshman nationwide has more assists than him (UNLV's Nico Clasen - 9). Hundley has a point in six of UCLA's last 12 games despite coming off the bench in half those contests. 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. He has started the last three games for the Bruins but will miss Thursday's 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 32 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.
LAST TIME OUT
UCLA outlasted San Diego State for a 2-1 overtime victory on Oct. 13 at the SDSU Sports Deck in San Diego, Calif. The Bruins and Aztecs finished the contest tied 9-9 in shots, but the final drive of the game - from UCLA's Cody Sundquist - resulted in a golden goal for the Bruins. Sundquist, a freshman midfielder, got his foot on a Joab Santoyo cross and poked it into the net on the first shot of the extra period. It was UCLA's first overtime game of the year, and at the time it put the Bruins into sole possession of first place in the Pac-12. Frankie Amaya opened the game's scoring, chipping the keeper 33 seconds into the second half. SDSU equalized and sent the game into OT with a 72nd minute goal from Adam Vargas.
SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS
UCLA has consistently won the possession and shots battle against its opponents this season. The Bruins have outshot the opposition in 12 of 17 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 224-153 edge in shots over its opponents, which translates to an advantage of over four shots per game (13.2 to 9.0).
FEELING LIKE A 10
Thursday's victory 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).
ANTAGONIZING THE AZTECS
The Bruins have dominated the all-time series aganist SDSU, losing just six times in 60 all-time matchups. UCLA has been unbeatable at home against SDSU since Jorge Salcedo took over in 2004, with the Bruins going an undefeated 8-0-5 in home games against the Aztecs over that span. More recently, UCLA has won seven of its last eight homes games against SDSU.
WALLIS ANNENBERG FORTRESS
UCLA has been solid at limiting its opponents' offense - the Bruins have held the opposition to one goal or fewer in 12 of 17 games - but have proven to be extremely difficult to score on at home. In nine home games, the Bruin have an overall goals against average of 0.67, have recorded four shutouts, and have held opponents to one goal or fewer eight times.
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).
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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