Based only on the box score, it would seem that Bruin goalkeeper
Zach Wells had little impact upon Saturday’s game against
Loyola Marymount, recording only three saves in the UCLA 2-0
victory.
He made his presence felt, however, with his aerial game,
intercepting crosses, free kicks and corner kicks before they
reached their intended destination.
“Zach handled the box very well,” Bruin coach Tom
Fitzgerald said. “LMU has some big forwards, and Zach made a
difference.”
Wells recorded his fourth complete game shutout of the season
Saturday night, the 17th of his career.
Wells entered the game sixth in the NCAA with a 0.35 goals
against average.
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UCLA midfielder and Missouri Athletic Council Hermann Award
(given to best collegiate soccer player) candidate Adolfo Gregorio
was limited to 16 minutes of playing time due to a staff infection
he contracted earlier in the week. He was hospitalized for two days
before being released Thursday.
UCLA junior defender/midfielder Aaron Lopez has also been
nominated for the Hermann Award.
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“One of the objectives I had was to get a lot of guys
playing time,” Fitzgerald said.
That he did. Eighteen Bruins played in Saturday night’s
game, including seldom-used Phillip Harr and Evan Corey.
Fitzgerald often pointed to his depth as a major strength of the
team this past season and continues to utilize his bench this year.
Thirteen Bruins took at least one shot on goal.
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The attendance at Saturday’s game was 869, an impressive
number considering the game was played at the same time as the
football team’s game against San Diego State. The mark was
the highest of any home game at Drake Stadium this year, and higher
than five of the eight regular season home game totals this past
year.
Former Bruin coach and current Los Angeles Galaxy coach Sigi
Schmid was seen at the game, as were several members of the UCLA
women’s soccer team, including coach Jill Ellis. The
women’s team did not play this weekend.
Compiled by Gilbert Quiñonez, Bruin Sports Senior
Staff. Quiñonez can be reached at
[email protected].