UCLA Beats Cal, Reaches Quarterfinals

The cushion that the UCLA men’s soccer team built was so soft that Cal nearly bounced back. But after dominating the first half, the Bruins hung on tight for a 3-2 victory over the Golden Bears in a third-round NCAA tournament game Saturday night in front of 1,036 at Drake Stadium.

With the victory, the Bruins (15-3-3) advance to the playoffs’ quarterfinals for the 16th time. UCLA will play host Saturday to the winner of a third-round game today between Penn State (15-7-0) and William & Mary (15-7-1). Junior forward Cliff McKinley had a goal and an assist as the Bruins seized control early and then withstood a Cal comeback in the last nine minutes.

The Bruins’ Aaron Lopez scored first, converting from 15 yards after an assist from McKinley, who had taken a tap off Jimmy Frazelle’s free kick in the 20th minute.

McKinley gave UCLA a 2-0 lead when he converted his sixth goal, a 35-yard shot from the right side after taking a ball from Frazelle, in the 28th minute. Matt Taylor’s seventh goal of the season in the 51st minute assured the Bruins they would get the better of the Golden Bears, despite goals in the 81st and 82nd minutes by Carl Acosta of Cal (14-6-2).

-- Lauren Peterson