Davidson College
No. 17 UCLA
No. 17 UCLA Ends Men's Soccer's Unbeaten Streak, 2-0
9/12/2010 9:58:51 PM | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – The Davidson men's soccer team did not allow a shot on goal in the first half, but No. 17 UCLA responded as Kelyn Rowe scored twice for the Bruins, handing the Wildcats their first defeat of the season, 2-0, Sunday afternoon in Drake Stadium.
Davidson (2-1-2) outshot UCLA (3-1-0), 6-3 in the first half, forcing Bruin goalkeeper Brian Rowe to make three saves, but UCLA turned the tide in the second half. Kelyn Rowe found the back of the net in the 58th and 77th minutes with assists from Shawn Singh and Evan Raynr, respectively, for the win.
“I commend UCLA for their performance, as they demonstrated that they are a talented, well-organized, national championship caliber team,” said Davidson head coach Matt Spear. “I am extremely proud of our team's effort and their performance. By scheduling us for five games in 10 days, I was asking a tremendous amount from our players, and they did the best they could do as fatigue became a factor. I felt that we could have won the game in the second half had we been on fresher legs.”
Junior goalkeeper Chip Sanders (Thomasville, Ga.) made seven saves for the 'Cats, while Brian Rowe finished with four for UCLA.
“Chip played well and was excellent controlling balls in the air,” said Spear. “UCLA had seven corner kicks in the first half and he did a great job preventing them from generating any offensive opportunities.”
Junior forward Mark Millard (Oak Ridge, N.C.) nearly gave Davidson a 1-0 lead in the second minute with a shot that went just wide. He did the same in the 12th minute, coming up the middle of the field, but Rowe was there for the stop. Sophomore forward Andrew DiLallo and junior defender Allen Page (Columbus, Ga.) both had headers stopped by Rowe off back-to-back corner kicks late in the first half.
“In the first half I felt we outplayed them and not only had more shots statistically, but more quality scoring chances,” said Spear.
Millard and DiLallo both had chances in the second half, but the Wildcats were unable to crack the UCLA defense.
“This was a fantastic experience for us playing against such high caliber opponents in a great environment with many Wildcats fans out to support us. I am proud of the ability and character our players have demonstrated, how they are playing within the system and the direction we are headed.”
Davidson will next travel to Gardner-Webb for a match Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Wildcats will next play at Alumni Stadium Tuesday at 7 p.m., taking on ACC foe Virginia Tech.
Notes: Davidson is now 2-2-1 against the last five Top-25 teams it has faced … as a player, Matt Spear and the Wildcats won 3-1 at UCLA during the 1992 regular season … current UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo was a UCLA starter in the 1992 match against Davidson.
