LOS ANGELES, Calif. – For the second time in as many games, a second-half goal proved to be the demise of Virginia Tech. Despite holding firm for 80 minutes and creating chances in the second half, the Hokies ultimately fell, 1-0, to No. 23 UCLA.
Both sides found themselves with opportunities going forward in the first half, but it was the hosts that felt unlucky to not find a goal in the first 45 minutes. The first glaring chance came in the 23rd minute when the Bruins found a runner at the back post who struck the ball between the legs of Ben Martino. However, defender Jack Dearie came to the rescue and swept in to clear the ball off the goal line. The pressing continued a couple minutes later when UCLA found itself in on goal again, but Martino was able to single-handedly paw away shot.
The Hokies pieced together four attempts in the first half, but none found the target and the sides went into the break scoreless.
In the second half, the Hokies came out in a new shape with an increased presence going forward. Misei Yoshizawa, who made his first career start, paired up with Kyle McDowell on the left side of the pitch to cause the UCLA back line some stress, but Tech lacked the finishing touch.
Virginia Tech's best opportunity claim with build up from the right side of the field in the 77th minute. Grant Howard squared the ball to Declan Quill, who got just a bit too far under the ball and was unable to put it on frame.
The top-25 Bruins capitalized off Tech's misfortunes shortly after when redshirt sophomore Jose Cantell came rushing into the box to get on the end of a low cross and provide an 81st-minute breakthrough.
That goal was the decider, as Tech fell on the road for the second time this season after being tied 0-0 at the half.
NOTES
- Misei Yoshizawa became the fourth Tech player to earn his first career start for the team this season (Dearie, Howard and Cardona).
- Tech falls to 0-2 for the first time since 2011.