Bruin upset

LOS ANGELES. -- First half goals from Leo Stolz and Seyi Adekoya proved enough as 14th-ranked UCLA upset No. 1 Washington 2-1 at Drake Stadium on Thursday night.  The Bruins who were forced to play much of the second half down a man, recorded their fourth consecutive win against the Huskies.

Stolz, UCLA’s leading scorer, claimed the opening tally of the game in the 15th minute on a shot from just outside the 18-yard box. Freshman striker Abu Danladi fed Stolz who used his cushion of space to bury the shot for his sixth goal of the season.

Adekoya delivered the eventual game-winner for the Bruins 10 minutes later, following a goal from Wahington's Josh Heard. Stolz found Adekoya in the center of the penalty area for his second goal of the year.

“Tonight was the first time all season that we got to put out the group that I thought was our best in the attack,” UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries throughout the season and tonight was a great first step with the group that I feel can be our best attacking group. It’s a great win; we absolutely deserve the 2-1 victory.”

UCLA (7-3-3, 2-1-1 Pac-12) came out on the attack, creating numerous chances on net in the first half. Just six minutes in, Brian Iloski led Adekoya in behind the last line of defense for Washington, but a blatant take down from defender Justin Schmidt halted his progress and earned the Huskies’ defender an early booking. The team’s combined for 15 shots and three goals in the first half, all of which were scored within a span of 10 minutes.

Washington (9-2-1, 2-2-1 Pac-12) would gain the upper hand early in the second half when Adekoya recieved his second yellow card in the 54th minute, disqualifying him from the match. The Huskies responded pressing the Bruins and sending more players forward into the offensive third. Iloski made a crucial clearance for UCLA in the 65th minute when a Washington corner was deflected on net past goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr.