SEATTLE -- No. 3 Washington (10-0-4, 3-0-2) stayed unbeaten, scoring in the 87th minute to earn a hard-fought 2-2 double-overtime draw with No. 5 UCLA (7-3-3, 2-1-2 Pac-12).
It was an unusual game as Washington had the majority of the chances, but scored on two UCLA own goals. The Dawgs outshot UCLA 22-12 and forced UCLA goalkeeper Earl Edwards, Jr. into seven saves, but scored twice on UCLA miscues.
At the other end, UCLA scored both of its goals within seconds of each other early in the second half to turn a Husky lead into a deficit.
“It was great, we fought until the end, which is what you want,” said head coach Jamie Clark. “It was a funny game because I felt unfortunate not to win it, but also fortunate to tie it.”
The Dawgs got on the board in the 29th minute when Andy Thoma raced behind the UCLA defense down the left wing. The junior from Los Alamos, N.M., then sent a dangerous cross through the face of the goal that a UCLA defender tried to clear, but instead deflected into his own goal.
Although it won’t show up in the stats, it was one of several times that Thoma caused problems down the left flank with his speed on overlapping runs.
Washington took things to the half leading, 1-0. After UCLA showed tremendous energy in the opening minutes, the Dawgs began to control possession and look like the more dangerous team going forward.
In the second half, it was UCLA again that came out with more energy, but this time it cost the Huskies. The Bruins scored in the 50th minute and again in the 51st minute just 78 seconds apart. Victor Chavez scored the first on header off a set piece, while Max Estrada scored the second in the run of play.
“They strung together four good minutes and scored two goals,” said Clark. “Good teams can do that, they have two absolutely brilliant players on their team and you can’t let them wriggle free.”
The goals were a tough blow, but the Huskies immediately fought back and began to dominate the game as they searched for the equalizing goal. Washington outshot the Bruins 13-4 the rest of the game, including a Darwin Jones penalty kick that was saved by Edwards.
Moments after Jones had his penalty saved, the junior took another free kick 25 yards from goal. This time Jones struck it almost perfectly, bending a driven shot at the far post that had Edwards beat. However, the shot clanged off the post and UW still trailed by one.
Washington would have to wait until the 87th minute to finally find the equalizer. Michael Harris earned a throw in from the right side. The senior threw a perfect ball at the far post towards several Husky players looking to flick it on goal. Instead, a UCLA defender tried to clear the ball with his head, but it deflected backwards into goal.
It was a second own goal for the Bruins and just what the Dawgs needed to tie the game. Washington remained dangerous for the final minutes and in both overtimes, but none of their chances would result in the golden goal. At one point, Jones blasted a shot wide into the side netting that sent a biased Husky crowd into a frenzy as they thought it had won it for Washington.
Oddly, UCLA almost allowed a third own goal in the final minute, but a second Bruin defender cleared it off the line. This time the Husky bench reacted with several players leaping to their feet thinking the game had been won.
The hotly contested match between the Dawgs and Bruins resulted in 40 fouls and eight yellow cards. Next up, the Huskies head to Southern California for a rematch with the same two teams it has played over the last couple of days. Washington will be at San Diego State on Friday, followed by UCLA on Sunday. Sunday’s rematch with the Bruins will also be live on the Pac-12 Networks.
