University of Washington
UCLA
Huskies Edged By Late UCLA Goal, 3-2
October 21, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 21, 2007
SEATTLE - UCLA sophomore midfielder Kyle Nakazawa broke a 2-2 tie with a goal in the final minute of regulation, lifting the Bruins to a 3-2 victory over Washington in an action-filled Pac-10 men's soccer showdown at Husky Soccer Field, Sunday afternoon.
The gamewinner by Nakazawa came at the 89:07 minute-mark, and although the Huskies (6-6-2, 1-3-1 Pac-10) had an answer for each of the two previous Bruin goals, Washington ended up running out of time in the end.
Both UW and UCLA (7-5-2, 3-1-1 Pac-10) put up a relentless offensive attack, with each squad taking 18 shots, including 12 by UCLA in the second half. It was a see-saw battle that saw the Bruins twice take a one-goal lead, only to have the Huskies battle back to equalize on freshman forward Ellis McLoughlin's first career goal in the first half and senior midfielder Derek Crismier's first goal of the season in the second half. Sophomore midfielders Michael Stephens and Chance Myers accounted for the other two UCLA goals.
"I'm proud of the way we battled back twice to level the score," UW head coach Dean Wurzberger said. "We showed a lot of character there we just couldn't sustain it. I feel bad for the guys because they deserve better than that, but at the end of the day you have to play strong for 90 minutes. We fought hard and did everything we could, but at the decisive moment they (UCLA) had a little bit of sparkle. My hat's off to their effort at the very end."
The Bruins ended up with an early opportunity when a yellow card was issued to UW sophomore defender Taylor Mueller on a foul in the box that set up a penalty kick attempt for the Bruins in the 11th minute of the match. Stephens converted on the attempt, giving UCLA a 1-0 advantage.
It took nearly the rest of the first half, but the Huskies came back to equalize when McLoughlin received a cross from sophomore midfielder Daniel Phelps and sailed a 20-yard shot up over UCLA goalkeeper Brian Perk for his first career goal in the 41st minute.
After the intermission, the intensity on the pitch stepped up a notch and the Bruins put early pressure on the UW defense. Myers gave UCLA its second lead of the game with a score at the 59:35 minute-mark, assisted by Nakazawa. But it didn't take the Huskies long to equalize. Not quite two minutes later, junior midfielder Raphael Cox sailed a free kick from 20-yards out that was headed by Crismier into the goal at 61:23.
The Huskies had some chances to score what could have been a go-ahead goal in the final 30 minutes. Cox forced Perk to make back-to-back saves on a quick pair of shots from inside the box and McLoughlin nailed a ball just inches past the right post that brought the entire Husky bench to its feet.
The match looked to be headed into extra minutes until Nakazawa scored from inside the box after receiving a ball from junior midfielder Jason Leopoldo with just under a minute to play.
Both Perk and UW goalkeeper Stephen Fung were kept busy by all the offensive action, as Perk tallied eight saves in the game and Fung grabbed seven. McLoughlin led UW with six shots, while Cox tallied five. UCLA was led by four different players with three shots apiece.
Up next for the Huskies, they will open the second-half of Pac-10 play facing the same two teams they faced this weekend at home - San Diego State and UCLA. UW will take on the Aztecs, Friday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. and the Bruins, Sunday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m.
UCLA 3, Washington 2
Husky Soccer Field; Seattle, Wash.
Scoring - 1, UCLA, Michael Stephens (penalty kick), 10:08. 2, UW, Ellis McLoughlin (Daniel Phelps), 41:42. 3, UCLA, Chance Myers (Kyle Nakazawa), 59:35. 4, UW, Derek Crismier (Raphael Cox), 61:23. 5, UCLA, Kyle Nakazawa (Jason Leopoldo), 89:07.
Shots - UW 18, UCLA 18
Corners - UW 2, UCLA 5
Saves - UW 7 (Stephen Fung), UCLA 8 (Brian Perk)
Fouls - UW 18, UCLA 13
Offsides - UW 0, UCLA 0
Attendance - 1407
