LOS ANGELES - No. 6 Stanford battled to a 2-2 draw with UCLA on Thursday night after Shane de Flores and Jackson Kiil each provided an equalizer for a goal from the Bruins. Stanford moves to 5-1-2 and 0-1-2 in Pac-12 play while UCLA moves to 3-2-2 and 0-0-1 in conference contests.
"An incredible game of soccer and some wonderful attacking moments from both teams," said The Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "I thought we played very well at the beginning and settled into the game well."
Stanford controlled possession and made strong attacking moves throughout the first half, but UCLA struck first, finding the back of the net in the 15th minute of the match.
"I'm just really disappointed in the way we conceded, it was a pretty straight-forward set piece and we just missed our marks," said Gunn. "That really changed the complexion of the game and it put UCLA in the driver's seat."
It didn't take long for Shane de Flores to record the equalizer, however, as the redshirt sophomore scored in the 25th minute to knot the game at one. Zach Bohane and Jackson Kiil provided the crucial linkup to find de Flores in the box where he controlled the ball and fired it home emphatically.
It was the second goal de Flores has scored against UCLA in Los Angeles in his career after recording the match-winner in Los Angeles last season.
"I'm very pleased with the way we continued to play and we were good value for the equalizer," said Gunn. "It was almost the same script in the second half really, we gave up another set piece goal to put us behind and in a hole, but we were really courageous in working our way back into the game and tying it up."
Out of the break, the two teams were back to scoring in no time. UCLA found a second goal in the 50th minute.
Jackson Kiil provided the second equalizer for the Cardinal three minutes later, capitalizing on a Shane de Flores shot off the post to tie the game at two. It was Kiil's fourth goal of the season and de Flores' fifth assist.
The remainder of the second half saw multiple strong attacks from the Cardinal, but no game-winner was found. Stanford concluded the day with 10 shots and five on target to UCLA's 13 and five on goal.
"Overall at the end of the day, I'd say a tie is a fair result," said Gunn. "Rowan made a couple of fantastic saves that were big stops, and then at the other end their keeper made an unbelievable save from point blank range and another player blocked an almost certain goal as well."
Rowan Schnebly played the full match in goal, making three saves on the day. Kiil and de Flores paced the team with three points each, coming from a goal and an assist for both of the strikers. Bohane earned a point as well for his assist to de Flores' goal.
"On another night, I think the scoreline could've been 4-4," explained Gunn. "But overall, very happy with how the team played and certainly we're ready to move on to San Diego on Sunday."
Stanford returns to action on Sunday, October 1 in another Pac-12 matchup against No. 17 San Diego State in San Diego.
