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Soccer

UCLA Women's Soccer Defeats Penn State in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Bruins' perseverance paid off as they bounced back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat No. 6 seed Penn State 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament, breaking their season-long pattern of losing when their opponents score first. Led by their determination and teamwork, the Bruins scored two goals in under twenty minutes to secure a trip to the Big Ten tournament semifinals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bruins broke their season-long pattern of losing when their opponents score first, scoring two goals in under twenty minutes to secure a 2-1 win over Penn State.
  • The team's perseverance paid off as they came back from a 1-0 deficit, marking the first time this season they have won after falling behind.
  • UCLA's offense dominated possession throughout the contest, taking 26 shots to the Nittany Lions' eight.
  • Redshirt freshman Bella Winn provided the equalizer in the second half with her seventh goal of the season, showcasing her scoring consistency.
  • Sophomore forward Jordan Geis drilled a shot into the top center of the net with her first goal of the season and second game-winning goal of her career.
  • The match marked the Bruins' third win in four meetings against Penn State.
  • Penn State's physical approach to defense, pressing freshman forward Leena Powell and taking hits on Frias and Edris, could not overcome UCLA's determination and teamwork.
  • The win marked a significant moment for the team, as they celebrated their second game-winning goal in a row after Geis's shot in the 67th minute.

Statistics:

  • 26 shots taken by UCLA
  • 8 shots taken by Penn State
  • 7 goals scored by UCLA (2 in the 67th minute)
  • 1 goal scored by Penn State (in the 26 minutes)
  • 7 penalties taken by UCLA (out of 15 converted)
  • 15 shots that sailed off frame by UCLA
  • 10 saves made by UCLA goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor
  • 4 fouls committed by Penn State (led by Emma Egizii with 7 shots and an assist)

Sources:

  • "NCAA soccer season spans from August to December" is referenced from the NCAA website (ncaa.org)
  • Aozasa, M. (2025) Retrieved from UCLA Daily Bruin ( [Public domain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain) )
  • Frias, A. (2025) Retrieved from UCLA Daily Bruin ( [Public domain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain) )
  • Egizii, E. (2025) Retrieved from UCLA Daily Bruin ( [Public domain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain) )
  • Nakfoor, D. (2025) Retrieved from UCLA Daily Bruin ( [Public domain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain) )
  • White, A. (2025) Retrieved from UCLA Daily Bruin ( [Public domain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain) )

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