Indiana women’s soccer opened its West Coast trip Thursday night against the No.10 UCLA Bruins, as they looked to snap a five-game losing streak. However, The Hoosiers struggled to find their footing against a dominant UCLA attack. As Indiana fell 5-0 to the Bruins, who extended their shutout streak to five consecutive matches.
UCLA started this game off fast by controlling possession from the opening minutes, as they forced Indiana to spend much of the first half defending in their own end. Indiana struggled to move the ball past midfield as the Bruins put consistent pressure to the Hoosiers’ backfield. Despite the rough start, Indiana netminder Dani Jacobson made several key saves to keep the Bruins off the board.
Indiana had an opportunity to get the game's opening goal when Emily Graham found herself alone on the doorstep but she was unable to handle the pass. UCLA continued to create chances with Oruha Hayashi testing Jacobson and forced the Indiana backline to remain sound defensively. The Hoosiers backline stayed sharp for the opening 30 minutes of the match. Jacobson’s performance kept the Bruins off the board in the early minutes of this one.
The Bruins finally broke through in the 31st minute of the match, Asa Yamazaki found the back of the net on a corner kick opportunity, sending a shot past Jacobson to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. The Bruins’ constant pressure finally paid off with a goal, as UCLA outshot Indiana 7-1 by the 30 minute mark. The Hoosiers responded with a corner kick opportunity of their own but the chance was unsuccessful. The Hoosiers entered halftime trailing by one goal, with Jacobson keeping the Hoosiers in the match despite UCLA controlling the pace of play.
The Bruins managed to waste little time extending their lead after the break. Ninety-four seconds into the second half, Lenna Powell found some open space in front of the Indiana net and finished the opportunity to make the score 2-0. UCLA continued to control the pace of play, keeping the ball on Indiana's side of the pitch. Maggie Ledwith used her play-making ability to create an opportunity for the Hoosiers to get on the board but UCLA goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor denied the chance and kept the Bruins’ lead at two.
The match took a really cornering turn when Nakfoor went down with an injury when she challenged for a loose ball with Emma Ehret. The Bruins’ goalkeeper, who has started every game this season for the Bruins, was unable to return to the match as she was carted off the pitch with a cast on her left leg. Mariangela Medina had to enter the match in relief. Despite the goalie change, the Bruins continued to attack the Hoosiers’ defense.
The Bruins’ offensive momentum continued as the second half progressed. Powell nearly found the back of the net for a second time but her attempt missed wide left. The Bruins eventually found their third goal when Kara Croone capitalized on sloppiness from the Hoosiers’ backline. Croone wasn’t done there as she struck again, extending the Bruins lead to 4-0. Indiana struggled to really generate a response as UCLA continued to keep the play on the Indiana side of the pitch. UCLA added one more goal as Anna Wilson found the back of the net to make the score 5-0.
The loss extends the Hoosiers’ losing streak to six games. Indiana struggled to find answers on both sides of the ball. The Bruins controlled the pace of play from start to finish, while Jacobson kept Indiana in the match with a stellar first half performance before the Bruins pulled away after halftime.
Indiana will look to regroup on Sunday when the Hoosiers continue its West Coast swing against USC.
