SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Second-ranked UCLA (4-1-2) defeated UC Santa Barbara 1-0 on a goal from Leo Stolz on Saturday night at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara.
Stolz netted his third goal of the season in the 38th minute from the top of the 18-yard box after controlling a deflected ball with his chest.
In addition, Bruins goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. shined again recording his third consecutive shutout -- his fourth of the season -- with a four-save effort. The senior keeper has not conceded a goal since the first half against New Mexico two weeks ago, bringing his consecutive-shutout streak to 369 minutes.
“We came to Santa Barbara to get a win and that’s exactly what we did,” UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo said. “From beginning to end we fought really hard, we made the plays we needed to make and we walked away with another great road victory. We have four of them on the season [road victories] and we’ll continue to get better with some plays that need a little bit more quality. But, you have to be happy with another shutout and another victory tonight on the road.”
In the first half, the Bruins struggled early, but Edwards Jr. was the calming force in the back. He totaled three of his four saves in the opening frame including one from five yards out which robbed Axel Mendez in the 20th minute.
The Bruins improved their overall play in the second 45-minute period, boasting their defensive prowess. The strong play of the back four allowed UCLA to control the pace and keep the ball away from their box. The best chance of the half came in the 60th minute when Stolz led Felix Vobejda into the box whose re-direction on net was scooped up by Gauchos goalkeeper Josh McNeely.
UC Santa Barbara outshot the Bruins 12-8, however UCLA put five of their attempts on net compared to the two on net for the Gauchos. William Cline and Andrew Tusaazemajja received yellow cards for the Bruins while Nick DePuy and Axel Mendez were also booked for the Gauchos.
