LOS ANGELES – In a match that featured a pair of top 10 teams, No. 5 UCLA (14-0-3, 6-0-3 Pac-12) got a goal from Maricarmen Reyes at the 86th minute mark to earn a 1-0 victory over No. 9 Stanford (12-4-1, 6-2-1 Pac-12) from Wallis Annenberg Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
Thursday's scoreless night from Stanford marks the first time the Cardinal has been shut out this year.
The Cardinal had the better of the offensive opportunities prior to the goal, but the match proved to be a defensive battle. The Bruins entered the game allowing just 0.63 goals per match, while Stanford was averaging 0.69 allowed on the other side.
The Cardinal nearly got on the board in the 34th minute as Avani Brandt sent a ball into the box that was batted away by UCLA goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy. The ball eventually worked its way to the foot of Katie Duong who chipped a shot toward the far post where it was headed off the line by UCLA's Kylie Kerr.
The Cardinal held a 3-1 advantage in shots at the end of a scoreless first half.
Both teams had more offensive chances in the second, with Stanford posting eight shots to UCLA's five – eventually finishing the match with an 11-6 advantage in shots.
Stanford again had an opportunity to get on the board first in the 79th minute as Maya Doms played a ball to the far side for Andrea Kitahata. The freshman sent a shot on goal that was pushed away by Brzykcy and the rebound one-hopped out to Doms who sent her follow-up over the bar.
Taking advantage of one of its only real opportunities on Thursday night, UCLA worked a throw in into the box where Reyes one-timed a bullet past Katie Meyer for the game-winner. The throw in came toward the end line where Lexi Wright flicked it into the box and Mia Fishel touched it one length more for Reyes. The goal was Reyes' fourth of the season.
Meyer, who had recorded back-to-back shutouts entering the match, made two saves on the six UCLA shots.
Brzykcy finished with four saves while facing the 11 Stanford shots.
The Cardinal will look to get back in the win column on Sunday at noon when it visits No. 10 USC – the leader in the Pac-12 standings.
