All thunder, but not enough lightning.
The Cornhuskers may have brought the pressure, but the Bruins brought the finish.
No. 10 UCLA women’s soccer (11-4-2, 8-2-1 Big Ten) defeated Nebraska (3-4-10, 1-3-7) 2-1 on Sunday at Barbara Hibner Stadium during UCLA’s first-ever visit to Lincoln. The Cornhuskers outshot the Bruins 15-8 and took all seven corners of the match, but two first-half goals in an eight-minute span gave the Bruins the cushion they needed to secure the win.
The game also ended a two-game scoreless skid for UCLA. A 0-0 draw with Washington on Oct. 16 and a 1-0 loss at Iowa on Thursday ended UCLA’s previous six-game win streak. Sunday’s victory gave the Bruins both momentum and some breathing room heading into Friday’s rivalry match against the Trojans.
Junior midfielder Cate Sarinopoulos broke through first in the 16th minute, sending a right-footed shot into the bottom center of the goal off a pass from freshman defender Anna Wilson. A TCU transfer with College Cup experience, Sarinopoulos ended the day tied for second on the team in goals.
“Honestly, it was pure excitement,” Sarinopoulos said. “We were talking about the last two games we’ve been scoreless, so to break that barrier was really important, and (it) set the tone for the rest of the game.”
Shortly after, Wilson widened the gap to 2-0, finishing a pass from sophomore forward Leena Powell into the net. The goal and assist gave the freshman a first half to remember, saying she came in with a point to prove following the Iowa loss.
“I just came out with an attitude in this game where I was very hungry to score and to contribute to a win,” Wilson said.
Wilson began the season on the frontline before gradually moving to outside back, a transition she partially credits to captain and junior defender Paloma Daubert, to whom she turns for advice and accountability. That support, Wilson said, extends well beyond one teammate and has shaped her first season in Westwood.
“It’s so amazing to be surrounded by such amazing people every single day,” Wilson said. “Even on the days when you have a hard workout, everybody is so supportive of you, … and we all care about each other a lot.”
That unity showed on the pitch, where UCLA withstood a Nebraska attack that took 10 shots and five corners in the first half alone. Coach Gof Boyoko said the Cornhuskers’ play was direct, including long balls, throw-ins and crosses along the box.
“The quality of the shots was not great, so I don’t think they were as dangerous,” Boyoko said. “The team did a very good job neutralizing it.”
Well into the second frame, Nebraska cut UCLA’s lead in half as Cornhusker midfielder Sadie Sant scored off a pass from forward Kate Eggett. But UCLA held on to its lead through the final whistle.
“We had the game under control,” Boyoko said. “They kept pushing and trying to create some chaos because they’re very good at that. It’s unfortunate that we let the goal in, but other than that, I’m very pleased.”
Coming off the win, UCLA turns to its regular season finale in a crosstown matchup against USC. UCLA has not won the rivalry match since 2023, and last year it was held to a 0-0 draw.
“There’s no other option to go and give it all and win the game, because LA is blue,” Boyoko said.
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