This post was updated Oct. 26 at 12:56 p.m.
Storylines often rely on plot twists to add more narrative depth.
The Bruins punched their ticket to Bridgeview, Illinois, a year ago and found themselves in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten tournament for the first time in program history – albeit under peculiar circumstances.
But not all plot twists lead to happy endings.
And Nov. 10, 2024 at SeatGeek Stadium was a day to forget for coach Ryan Jorden’s unit.
With then-Michigan goalkeeper Ethan Wood’s save in the penalty shootout, the Wolverines destroyed the Bruins’ conference-title chances in the team’s inaugural year in the Big Ten – and the disappointment was imminent.
The scratch cut deeper than the scoreboard showed. But a year later, the wounds turned into grit.
“We’re in a good position in the conference even though we had a rough start,” Jorden said. “We get to go on the road and keep proving what we’re doing right now – and that’s the exciting part.”
UCLA men’s soccer (3-5-3, 3-2-1 Big Ten) is back for revenge in the Midwest for a top-20 matchup against No. 16 Michigan – this time on Wolverine territory at the U-M Soccer Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Although the Bruins remain winless on the road this season, they are intent on rewriting the script.
“We know that we need six points for the conference first,” said redshirt sophomore forward Sergi Solans Ormo. “Our goal is to classify (qualify) for the tournament and also win the Big Ten.”
The Wolverines’ lineup features midfielder/forward Quin Rogers – who was sidelined during the 2024 season due to injury – and is currently tied for the team’s top goal scorer. Rogers has tallied a career-high four goals this season. Complementing Rogers is forward Grayson Elmquist, who recently scored two goals in a 3-1 win against Ohio State on Oct. 14.
The Wolverines also added 12 new members to the roster for the 2025 campaign, including four transfers. The lineup features transfer midfielder Mitar Mitrovic, who scored a penalty goal in the fifth minute and assisted defender Nolan Miller to help secure the lead against Creighton on Aug. 29. The Belgrade, Serbia, local played three seasons at Marquette, appearing in 45 games, prior to his Ann Arbor arrival.
Fellow transfer Michael Ramirez also tallied a goal against Ohio State on Oct. 14. The forward played one season at Northwestern and boasted a top-150 ranking in the 2024 recruiting class.
Last year’s loss to the Wolverines still lingers, but a sense of unfinished business also exists for junior midfielder Philip Naef.
“We should still believe in ourselves,” Naef said. “We think we should be able to beat both of those teams (Michigan and Michigan State), and we’re a bigger program than them but still come with some form of respect at the same time.”
Currently, the Wolverine pack has outshot its opponents 164 to 93 across 12 matches – a 57% difference. Meanwhile, opponents have outshot the Bruins 124 to 112, and the Westwood bunch has recorded just 11 goals this season.
But Jorden said his team is ready to turn the tide.
“We’ve got a chance to be the best team in the conference,” Jorden said. “I like our group as much or more than everybody else’s team – and that’s a really good place to be.”
The Bruins have learned from what broke them – and it’s starting to show.
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