LOS ANGELES – Single goals late in each half doomed visiting San Diego State in what was ultimately a 2-0 loss for the Scarlet and Black at No. 5 UCLA Friday afternoon at Drake Stadium. The loss drops the Aztecs to 1-3-2, while the Bruins move to 6-1.

 

UCLA earned the winning goal in the final moments of the first half. With under 30 seconds to play, Kodi Lavrusky lofted a deep shot from 22 yards out that found the upper right corner of the cage.

 

Prior to the goal, the Aztecs had two good chances to score. Their first opportunity came with just over 28 minutes left when Ashley Hauke dribbled the down the pitch and found Haley Locker, who crossed it to Evie Millyn. The freshman’s shot, however, was saved by Katelyn Rowland. SDSU’s second chance occurred with 2:20 left after Millynn went to Sophie Metz, but her shot was stopped as well.

 

In the second half, the Aztecs found themselves playing catch-up and looking for the equalizer, but they struggled to get going offensively. San Diego State had a handful of run-outs in the final 25 minutes, but was unable to tickle the twine.

 

Then in the 85^th minute, UCLA’s Caprice Dydasco sent a corner in and the ball went off the crossbar. The rebound fell in the middle of handful of Bruins and Aztecs, and Abby Dahlkemper ended up knocking the ball past SDSU goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn.

 

Vaughn, despite taking the loss, may have enjoyed her finest performance of her young career as the redshirt sophomore was credited with seven big stops. The Aztec keeper, along with Carli Johnson, Kori Spotts and Haley Palmer, played big on this day as they thwarted numerous chances for the homestanding Bruins.

 

San Diego State continues its road trip on Sunday when it plays at Pepperdine. First tap in Malibu is set for 1 p.m. PT.