This post was updated Oct. 5 at 10:16 p.m.
The trend of dropping points has continued once more.
After leading for the first 78 minutes of the contest – and by two goals for 22 minutes in the second half – UCLA men’s soccer (4-3-4, 1-2-2 Big Ten) tied Penn State (4-5-2, 1-2-2) 2-2 Friday night in University Park, Pennsylvania.
After controlling leading the game for nearly 75 minutes, the Bruins not only gave up control of the lead but also reproduced their trend of dropping points, with the most recent coming from a 3-3 tie to Michigan on Sept. 21 where UCLA led from before halftime until the 80th minute.
“You can’t provide and make glaring mistakes and provide opportunities for the opponent to have easy chances, and we’ve done that in those couple of games and that’s that’s the disappointing part,” said coach Ryan Jorden.
The Bruins dominated in all facets during the first half – edging out the Nittany Lions in corners, shots and goals. Less than 13 minutes into the game, senior defender Pablo Greenlee floated an over-the-top through ball into the center of the 18-yard box that allowed redshirt senior forward Jose Contell headed to plant the ball into the bottom left corner for, scoring the game’s first goal.
The Bruins’ first-half fireworks continued into the second half. In the 52nd minute, Contell took the ball down the left sideline, deep into the Penn State offensive third, and played the ball into freshman forward Artem Vovk, who dribbled the defensive line and placed the ball into the right corner of the net for UCLA’s second goal.
“They (Vovk and Contell) were a thorn in the opposing side,” Jorden said. “They both got goals, and were both dangerous to get a second each themselves, so I’m really pleased about their work at the front of the team.”
However, what looked like one of the Bruins’ best games of the year seemingly turned into one of their worst.
The Nittany Lions came back with two goals in the last 15 minutes of the game – both coming within a four-minute span. The first came from midfielder Caden Grabfelder who rocketed the ball into the top left corner from over 25 yards away.
With momentum on its side, Penn State leveled the game in the dying embers of the contest. Right before the 80th minute, midfielder Ben Madore shot just outside the 18-yard box and snuck the ball in the bottom left corner off the post.
“We gifted them the opportunity for the first, we gave them a ball that was unpressured, and you can’t do that, especially at the back of the team and into the middle of the field,” Jorden said. “We gifted them the first and gave them some momentum. … So that gave them a lifeline,” Jorden said.
UCLA’s next chance comes Friday against Ohio State, where the Bruins will battle to claim a top-seven spot for the Big Ten postseason tournament.
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