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A goal from one of the top veterans was all the Bruins needed to get their 2022 campaign off to a good start.

No. 23 UCLA Men’s Soccer (1-0) kicked off Thursday’s match against UC Irvine (0-1) at a slow and tough pace, but as the game entered the second half, the red-shirted senior forwards took the lead. A Kevin Diaz scored an open at home. A header that gives blue and gold a 1-0 win. The Norwalk, Calif. native has scored six goals in his 1st season, making him the first Bruin to have his name on the 2022 scoresheet.

Diaz’s goal came in the 52nd minute and came from a short corner kick picked up by redshirt senior midfielder José Sosa. The 5-foot-6 playmaker dribbled quickly and crossed the ball into the box. Diaz moved between defenders to stay on the flanks and attack.

The UC Irvine defensive veteran was one step ahead and headed into the bottom right corner of the net.

Prior to Diaz’s strike, UCLA was unable to find a clear shot to grab the goal.

The Bruins’ first half effort built from sustained possessions running against the Anteater defense. In his first 45 minutes, UCLA allowed him to have five shots, but none of his attempts at goal threatened to cross the line.

Sophomore defender Pietro Grassi sat out after being suspended during the Bruins’ NCAA Tournament loss to Duke, and his absence forced coach Ryan Jorden to shuffle his backline with UC Irvine. did.

American alumnus Nicolas Blassou and junior Tommy Silva, who usually appears as left back, were center backs in the lineup. Was introduced.

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These mismatched defensive pairings led to multiple anteater chances, with an errant pass allowing a clean shot to sophomore goaltender Nate Crockford. UC Irvine didn’t get much out of it given the direction of the shot deep in the attacking third.

At 6-foot-4, Crockford was able to keep a clean sheet in the match, but he didn’t need to save as he took zero shots from the anteater.

UCLA’s defense allowed only one shot from UC Irvine in the second half, an improvement over four allowed in the first half. Freshman midfielder Tarn Karmanci was the only freshman player in his life to play for the Bruins on Thursday, returning to a central defensive role as the night wore on.

The San Jose Earthquakes alum played a key role against the Bruins’ Big West opponents, tackling to stunt the Anteater offense and creating chances for UCLA on crossfield passes.

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Kevin Diaz's late goal gives UCLA men's soccer victory over UC Irvine

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