UCLA Women’s Soccer Draw BYU at North Athletic Field
UCLA Women’s Soccer kicked off the 2016/17 campaign with a 2-2 draw versus BYU in an exhibition match at North Athletic Field. All four goals were scored in the first 25 minutes of action as the Bruins prepare travel on Friday to take on San Diego State.
College Soccer News: In a back-and-forth affair, UCLA and 16th-ranked BYU played to a 2-2 draw in a women’s soccer exhibition match at North Athletic Field.
UCLA took an early lead on a goal by senior Annie Alvarado at the 6:55 mark. Zoey Goralski sent a cross from the right side to Alvarado in the box, and Alvarado netted it past goalkeeper Rachel Boaz. BYU tied it up in the 18th minute on an unassisted goal by Nadia Gomes, who dribbled down the field and beat the Bruin defense and goalkeeper Siri Ervik for the equalizer. Gomes struck again in the 23rd minute, scoring on a second-effort goal to give the Cougars the lead for the first time.
The Bruins were undeterred, however. Just over two minutes later, Chloe Castaneda sent a pass to Goralski, who one-timed a lob over Boaz for the tying goal.
UCLA mixed up the lineup in the second half, putting freshman Teagan Micah between the pipes and giving freshmen Sunny Dunphy and Jacey Pederson their first collegiate action, as they joined starter and classmate Kaiya McCullough in the match. Micah helped keep the Cougars off the board, making two saves and allowing no goals. Boaz also gave up zero second-half goals and had all three of her saves in the second half, including gin the final minute on a shot by Bruin forward Julia Hernandez.
“It was good to get a lot of players in and see some things,” said UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell. “There were some pleasant surprises for sure, and you’d like to always get the goal to win it, but in the end the result isn’t necessarily the most important thing; it’s how we played. And we know we need to shore some things up on both sides of the ball.”
UCLA will officially open the season on Friday, Aug. 19 at San Diego State.
Source/Photo Credit: UCLA Athletics
