STANFORD, Calif. - No. 19 Stanford suffered its third defeat of the season on Sunday, falling to UCLA 3-1. By winning the match, UCLA clinched at least a share of the Pac-12 title with a chance to secure the league completely next weekend.
Stanford falls to 8-3-5 and 2-2-5 in Pac-12 play while UCLA improves to 8-3-5 and 5-0-4 in conference contests.
"I felt tonight we really were our own worst enemy," said the Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "UCLA played well, but they really didn't have that many chances in the game, but they finished the ones they did."
The Bruins struck first, scoring in the third minute to go on the front foot. Despite the early goal, the first half featured more chances for the Cardinal.
Stanford sent five shots at the UCLA goal compared to only two the other direction during the first 45 minutes. But the Bruins retained a 1-0 lead at the half.
"At the beginning of the game we were really poor defensively," added Gunn. "We gave people time and space, we gave too much respect, and we didn't compete in the way a Stanford player has to compete and that for me is really disappointing."
The second half saw 11 more attempts for the Cardinal on goal, but UCLA scored again. The Bruins added goals in the 48th and 52nd minutes to open a 3-0 lead.
"On the night, we got what we deserved," said Gunn. "UCLA finished some great chances which is always what is going to win a game, but we gave them too much time on the ball and didn't challenge or compete. If we'd done that, it would have been a very tight game and we absolutely could have been winning."
Noah Adnan was able to pull one back for Stanford in the 79th minute, tapping in a throw in from Palmer Bank who was credited with the assist, but it wasn't enough to bring Stanford back into the match.
"Very disappointed tonight, but hopefully we take it straight on the chin and we learn from it," said Gunn. "We live to fight another day and we've got an exciting game against Cal next week and we have to respond, learn, and grow."
The Cardinal had seven corner kicks to UCLA's one and 16 shots to the Bruins' six. UCLA also received five yellow cards, against none for Stanford.
"Congratulations to UCLA on the night," said Gunn. "As a Stanford coach, that's not good enough."
The Cardinal concludes the regular season next Saturday at home with a Big Clasico against California at Cagan Stadium.