UA soccer overcome by third-ranked UCLA

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Arizona women’s soccer team was defeated 2-1 by No. 3 UCLA on Friday night at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Stadium.

Arizona (5-5-1) registered a total of seven shots and was able to limit UCLA (8-0-2) to nine shots on the night. Jazmin Ponce led the Wildcats with three shots on goal, with fellow teammates Ana-Maria Montoya, Ariel Boulicault, Kirstyn Magyar, and Julia Glanz recording one shot attempt apiece in the match.

Seven minutes into the game, UCLA senior Zakiya Bywaters recorded her seventh goal of the season on an assist from Taylor Smith. Bywaters added another goal in the 48th minute off a pass from Rosie White that resulted in a one-on-one situation with Wildcats goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman.

In the 70th minute, in a one-on-one with Bruins goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland, Ponce was able to sneak the ball into the net for her eighth goal of the season. With the goal, Arizona became one of just three teams to have scored on Rowland this season; the Bruins have seven shutouts in nine games.

UA goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman finished with four saves, matching Rowland's total for UCLA.

“It’s tough because you don’t want to lose,” head coach Lisa Oyen said. “I think our team learned a lesson on how we can play and what we are going to see in our conference. There was an opportunity here today that we overlooked, but we’ll have more opportunities.”