LOS ANGELES – On Wednesday night, one of Southern California’s biggest rivalries came to USC as the Trojans hosted the visiting UCLA Bruins. Despite USC’s furious third quarter rally, the Bruins were able to secure their sixth consecutive rivalry win – including two wins last year while USC was not in the MCLA – in a high-scoring 16-13 game.
The game’s scoring began with a dodge from the Trojans’ leading scorer, sophomore attack Ryan Kreston (4g, 0a). The rest of the first quarter was all Bruins, as UCLA used a 7-1 run to end the quarter up five. The scoring cooled down in the second quarter, with each team tallying two goals apiece to enter halftime with UCLA up 9-4.
Despite trading goals in the early minutes of the third, the Bruins saw their lead disappear after five straight by USC tied the game at 10-10. The Trojans took their first lead of the game at 12-11, but a big goal by freshman midfielder Sam May (5g, 1a) knotted the game back at twelves.
After almost five goalless minutes to start the final quarter, UCLA broke the deadlock when junior attack Zack Winters (3g, 1a) finished a fast break opportunity. Freshman midfielder Sam Moran (5g, 1a) then scored a man-up goal, followed by another on an alley dodge for his fifth of the game. After a goal by USC, May iced the game for the Bruins on his fifth goal of the night.
UCLA was led by the freshmen midfield duo, May and Moran, who both scored five goals and had an assist. The Bruins’ four attackmen rounded out UCLA’s scoring, as Winters net three goals plus an assist, junior Anthony Noren scored two goals with an assist, sophomore Kevin Rowen assisted on six goals, and freshman Cameron McVeigh added one goal as well.
The Trojan offense was led by Kreston’s four goals as well as sophomore midfielder Peter Dikeou’s four goals and one assist. Freshman attack Kevin Cuellar also added a had trick for USC, while freshman midfielder Kyle Ulman and senior attack Anthony Yoo scored one goal each.
USC’s goalie, senior Carder Nastri, recorded 17 saves in the loss, while senior goalie Martin Alonzo had 10 saves in the win for UCLA.
This was the final game of the season for USC, making the Trojans’ final 2013 record (4-10). UCLA (5-7) finishes its season this Saturday at home in an 11:00 AM game against Claremont (6-7).
