LOS ANGELES – Despite a comeback attempt to start the second half, Rutgers men's soccer (8-5-2, 3-4-1 B1G) fell to UCLA (4-6-4, 4-3-2 B1G), 5-2, on the road Friday night.
UCLA netted two goals in under a minute in the final moments of the first 45 minutes to take the 2-0 edge into the break.
However, Rutgers came out on the offensive in the second half. Francesco Di Ponzio netted his first goal of the season in the 54th minute to cut the advantage in half.
Less than a minute later, Nick Collins found the back of the net to tie it up with a header from a cross by Joschi Schelb.
The Bruins stayed aggressive though, scoring two more goals in the following minutes and one more in the 67th to go up, 5-2 and eventually come away with the victory.
Goals
40' (UCLA) Sergi Solans - Philip Naef
40' (UCLA) Oliver Roche - Philip Naef
54' (RU)
Francesco Di Ponzio
55' (RU)
Nick Collins –
Joschi Schelb
56' (UCLA) Sergi Solans - Philip Naef & Ander Marticorena
58' (UCLA) Sergi Solans - Oliver Roche & Ander Marticorena
67' (UCLA) Oliver Roche - Sergi Solans
Game Notes
- Collins has recorded three scores this season and now four in his career. He has netted two goals in the last four outings as well and is tied for fourth on the team with eight points.
- Di Ponzio's goal marks the third of his career and his first of the season.
- Schelb continues to pace the team with four assists and 18 points this campaign.
- RU bested UCLA in shots (19-15) and corners (10-5). The teams tied in shots on goal with six apiece.
- 21 of RU's 27 goals this season have come from newcomers. Nick Collins (3), Devon Stopek (1) and Francesco Di Ponzio (1) are the lone returners to net goals so far, as well as a team goal.
- Ciaran Dalton made one save in net on Friday to stay fifth on the all-time career saves list with 222 stops.
- Dalton is the only Scarlet Knights to play all 90 minutes of all 15 matches this slate.
Looking Ahead
Rutgers will return to Yurcak Field for its final home game of the season against Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.
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