Huskies Down UCLA In Pac-12 Opener

Thursday, September 29

Los Angeles, Calif.

7:00 PM

University of Washington

7-2-0, 1-0-0

UCLA

4-3-1, 0-1-0

Washington

UCLA

September 29, 2016 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Pac-12 Recap Final Box

LOST ANGELES, CALIF. – It was a picture perfect night for the Huskies as they opened Pac-12 play on Thursday with a 4-0 win over UCLA. The win against the Bruins marked the team's first since 2012.

"That's as tight a 4-0 game that I've ever been a part of," said Washington head coach Jamie Clark. "I give a lot of credit to UCLA for pushing the tempo but our defense was brilliant and really answered the challenge."

Washington's height played a large factor in the opening minutes of the match as they inked two goals in the first four minutes; both off throw-ins from Steven Wright. The first goal was headed in by Garret Jackson in the second minute. The second goal, almost identical to the first, was netted off a header from Justin Schmidt extending the early lead to 2-0.

Washington proved unstoppable on both sides of the ball. The offense consistently won balls and played aggressively throughout the half. Auden Schilder and the rest of the backfield don't let up as they fought off six Bruin shots with Auden saving three.

In the 38^th minute Washington was handed their second red card of the season after a tackle by Corban Anderson.

Being one man down did not seem to scare the team as they continued to control the ball. In the 43^rd minute, Handwalla Bwana found the ball at midfield, dribbled it to 20 yards and lobbed it over the goalkeeper's head, earning his fourth goal of his young career.

The Huskies went into the half up, 3-0.

In the second half the Husky offense did not slow down. In the 60^th minute with no defender in sight, Kyle Coffee made a breakaway shot from the box that was deflected by the Bruin goalkeeper. Off the rebound, Joey Parish followed up with Coffee's shot and found the back of the net for his first goal of his career.

Down a man since the 39th minute of the match, the Huskies still battled their way to a victory. Auden Schilder earned his third shutout of the season with eight saves.

The team totaled for nine shots with shots from Justin Schmidt, Quinten Pearson, Garret Jackson, Luke Hauswirth, Joey Parish, Kyle Coffee and Handwalla Bwana.

The Pac-12 road trip continues for Washington as they face San Diego State Univeristy on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 12 p.m.

Fans can catch the Huskies in action at home next Thursday, Oct. 6 when Stanford, Coach Clark's and Coach Gores' alma mater, comes to Montlake. The match is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. PT and will be aired live on the Pac-12 Network.

For continued coverage on the Husky Men's Soccer Team, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @uw_msoccer, on Facebook at Washington Husky Men's Soccer and gohuskies.com.