UCLA
9-0-0, 1-0-0
California
5-2-3, 0-1-0
No. 1 UCLA Beats Cal, 4-2, to Remain Unbeaten
September 23, 2022 | Women's Soccer
After the Golden Bears (5-2-3) struck first with a 21st minute goal, the Bruins scored three unanswered goals. two by Maricarmen Reyes,ย to move ahead 3-1. A Cal penalty kick trimmed the Bruins' lead to 3-2, but freshman Bridgette Marin-Valencia's 83rd minute goal provided extra insurance for UCLA, who is unbeaten in its last 17 conference games.
The Bruins found themselves trailing in the game for just the second time this season after Noelle Bond-Flasza found Karlie Lema alone on the right side. Lema fired a hard shot above Lauren Brzykcy to the top of the net for the game's first goal at 20:46.
UCLA was unfazed, however. Not even three minutes later, the Bruins utilized their passing skills to perfection to equalize. Off a Quincy McMahon feed, Madelyn Desiano dribbled into the box and then sent a diagonal pass back to Reyes, who one-timed it past California goalkeeper Angelina Anderson for the equalizer at 23:37. Eight minutes later, Reyes struck again for the go-ahead goal. After a free kick was headed out of the box, Sofia Cook collected the ball and passed to Reyes, who once again one-timed her shot through traffic and into the back of the net for her second goal of the game at 31:33.
Down early? No sweat. @reyeszmari's got it! Assists credited to @Quincymcmahon13 and @MadelynDesiano on the equalizer.
โ UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) September 24, 2022
??: @Pac12Network
??: https://t.co/5AWI3slowv#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/Qi19A5uM4Q
The Bruins increased their lead to 3-1 in the second half after Reilyn Turner stole a pass just beyond Cal's box. She fed Ally Cook at the top of the box, and Cook deftly put a move on her defender to get a far post shot past Anderson to score her second goal of the season at the 57:42 mark.
UCLA's third goal, by @Ally_cook, was a beauty, made possible by the steal by @reilynturner!
โ UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) September 24, 2022
??: @Pac12Network
??: https://t.co/5AWI3slowv#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/rRHfeM6Kse
The Bears cut into UCLA's lead in the 61st minute when Keely Roy converted a penalty kick after McMahon was whistled for a foul in the box. UCLA was awarded a penalty kick of its own in the 64th minute, but Reyes' shot was saved by Anderson. The California goalkeeper made another big save in the 70th minute, stopping Turner in front of goal.
With the Bruins clinging to the one-goal lead, a relentless effort by Marin-Valencia at 82:32 sealed the victory, as she followed up Ally Cook's header that rimmed the crossbar. Marin-Valencia challenged two Cal defenders for the rebound and got a foot on it. Just as it looked like the ball might get swept off the line, Marin-Valencia picked herself up and came charging in to bang it into the back of the net for her first collegiate goal.
A RELENTLESS goal by the Bruins and freshman Bridgette Marin-Valencia!
โ UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) September 24, 2022
??: @Pac12Network
??: https://t.co/5AWI3slowv#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/rW67yHfcYh
UCLA outshot Cal in the game 20-6 and had 10 shots on goal to the Bears' three. Brzykcy was forced into just one easy save in the first half. Anderson had six for the Bears.
The Bruins will resume Pac-12 play on Thursday, Sept. 29 at Oregon.
Team Stats
Karlie Lema (2)
Assisted By: Ayo Oke , Noelle Bond-Flasza
GOAL by CAL Lema, Karlie Assist by Oke, Ayo and Bond-Flasza, Noelle.
20:46
Maricarmen Reyes (4)
Assisted By: Madelyn Desiano , Quincy McMahon
GOAL by UCLA Reyes, Maricarmen Assist by Desiano, Madelyn and McMahon, Quincy.
23:37
Maricarmen Reyes (4)
Assisted By: Sofia Cook
GOAL by UCLA Reyes, Maricarmen Assist by Cook, Sofia.
31:33
Ally Cook (2)
Assisted By: Reilyn Turner
GOAL by UCLA Cook, Ally Assist by Turner, Reilyn.
57:42
Keely Roy (3)
CAL Keely Roy PENALTY KICK GOAL.
60:48
Bridgette Marin-Valencia (1)
GOAL by UCLA Marin-Valencia, Bridgette.
82:32
