[Hieronymus]

The box score shows we took 21 shots, 9 on goal, and scored none. UCLA took 6 shots, 4 on goal, and scored 2.
Corner kicks and fouls were essentially even (we had one more of each than UCLA). I didn't see the game but clips of the goals showed UCLA scored in the 5th minute after Birkel got a hand on a hard shot from the left side and tipped it wide of the goal, but a UCLA player was there and blasted it in. For the goal in the second half, a UCLA player broke down the right sideline with the ball and passed it to the middle of the field where a UCLA forward had outrun Sammy Smith, putting the forward 1 on 1 with Birkel.

I finally caught extended highlights. Looked like a classic men’s team loss. Give up an early goal, scramble to catch up, move the ball some but generate few clear chances and then flail with the final touch. It happens in college soccer.

1. I said usually the issues in defense wouldn’t matter - well they did in this game. First goal Smith really gets beat twice - her 1v1 defense still isn’t good. Not much more Birkel can do. Boamah maybe needs to follow her mark a bit more, but it’s hard to really say she is in the wrong place on the rebound. Second goal -unlucky deflection starts a break. Smith isn’t fast enough to catch up though on this one I would put more fault on Evans. Needed to pull that offsides but she didn’t see it.

2. Otherwise lots of crosses to the goalie. A couple of good shots on frame and another couple just off frame. But not much to trouble UCLA. Even this team struggles breaking down a solid D when it can sit in. But the finishing was very poor. Should have managed 1 or 2 in there somewhere.

3. The press is great, but it doesn’t do much when you go down early and UCLA can sit back and pick their counters.

[Hieronymus]

The box score shows we took 21 shots, 9 on goal, and scored none. UCLA took 6 shots, 4 on goal, and scored 2.
Corner kicks and fouls were essentially even (we had one more of each than UCLA). I didn't see the game but clips of the goals showed UCLA scored in the 5th minute after Birkel got a hand on a hard shot from the left side and tipped it wide of the goal, but a UCLA player was there and blasted it in. For the goal in the second half, a UCLA player broke down the right sideline with the ball and passed it to the middle of the field where a UCLA forward had outrun Sammy Smith, putting the forward 1 on 1 with Birkel.

I finally caught extended highlights. Looked like a classic men’s team loss. Give up an early goal, scramble to catch up, move the ball some but generate few clear chances and then flail with the final touch. It happens in college soccer.

1. I said usually the issues in defense wouldn’t matter - well they did in this game. First goal Smith really gets beat twice - her 1v1 defense still isn’t good. Not much more Birkel can do. Boamah maybe needs to follow her mark a bit more, but it’s hard to really say she is in the wrong place on the rebound. Second goal -unlucky deflection starts a break. Smith isn’t fast enough to catch up though on this one I would put more fault on Evans. Needed to pull that offsides but she didn’t see it.

2. Otherwise lots of crosses to the goalie. A couple of good shots on frame and another couple just off frame. But not much to trouble UCLA. Even this team struggles breaking down a solid D when it can sit in. But the finishing was very poor. Should have managed 1 or 2 in there somewhere.

3. The press is great, but it doesn’t do much when you go down early and UCLA can sit back and pick their counters.