UCLA Battles Back for 2-1 Win at Cal

BERKELEY, Calif. – No. 14 UCLA cashed in on a pair of corner kick opportunities to record a 2-1 comeback win over California on Sunday afternoon at Edwards Stadium.

With the result, UCLA improved to 4-2-1, 1-0-1 on the campaign. Cal dropped to 2-2-3, 1-1-0.

Paired with Thursday’s scoreless draw at Stanford, this weekend represents UCLA’s first unbeaten trip to the Bay Area Pac-12 schools since 2013.

Junior left back Tommy Silva notched assists on both of UCLA’s goals, the first multi-assist game of his collegiate career. Redshirt senior forward Kevin Diaz and redshirt sophomore forward Jose Contell each notched goals for UCLA, the second of the season for both.

For the game, UCLA out-shot the hosts 14-8 and had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Cal opened Sunday’s scoring in the 40^th minute, with Shoei Honda back-heeling the ball into the net after it settled inside the six off a free kick.

The Bruins were able to grab an equalizer just before the halftime whistle, as Diaz found the back of the net with about 30 seconds remaining in the half. That play started with Silva finding sophomore defender Aaron Edwards just above the six with a corner kick. An open Edwards got his head on the ball and sent it back towards the near post, where Diaz slid on a knee and poked it into the net for the score.

The go-ahead goal came in the 76^th minute, as Silva picked out a near-post run from Contell, who volleyed it into the unguarded corner of the net.

Silva and Contell were also responsible for a pair of the Bruins’ best non-goal scoring opportunities.

In the 20^th minute, Silva blasted a shot from atop the 18-yard box that required a tough save from Cal keeper Collin Travasos. Contell also had a decent look from a sharp angle down the right side in the 42^nd minute, but Travasos pushed the drive aside.

UCLA keeper Nate Crockford made three saves in the game, including a pair of impressive kick-saves. His most crucial stop came in the sixth minute, as he stuck his left foot out to deny a close-range shot from Cal’s Nonso Adimabua.

The Bruins return to Wallis Annenberg Stadium for their next game, hosting Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, Sept. 24 starting at 7:00 p.m. PT. That game will be streamed live, free of charge, through Pac-12.com/live.