In the 39th minute, Michigan’s Michael Ramirez slotted his second goal of the night with a bouncing header to the bottom-left corner, lighting up the crowd and extending the Wolverines lead to 2-0 before half. This paved the way for the Wolverine’s smothering win against the Bruins, who are still searching for their first road win.
Amidst the glow of the Friday night lights at U-M Soccer Stadium, UCLA (3-6-3, 3-3-1 Big Ten) struggled on both sides of the ball against No. 16 Michigan (8-2-3, 4-2-1 Big Ten), suffering a 3-0 defeat. The last time the Bruins faced off against the Wolverines was Nov.10, 2024 in the Big Ten semifinals, where the two teams tied 3-3 in regulation before Michigan squeaked by 4-2 in penalties. Friday night’s match in Ann Arbor gave UCLA a shot at redemption, but the Bruins once again fell short.
The Wolverines opened up the score sheet in the 22nd minute off a banger by Ramirez. It began with Michigan center back Will Baker who crossed it from the left side of the box past the back post to Nicholas Cassiday who beautifully laid it off to the top of the box. With a lovely first touch, Ramirez set himself up for a left footed shot that curled into the bottom left corner, giving Michigan an early 1-0 lead.
Shortly after, in the 24th minute, UCLA nearly evened the score when left winger Ander Marticorena rose for an excellent header toward the top left corner, only to be denied by Michigan’s keeper, Isaiah Goldson. However, in the 39th minute, Michigan’s Dylan Davis’s right footed cross to the back post was received by Ramirez, who launched a firm bouncing header to the bottom left corner, marking his fifth goal of the season.
In the beginning of the second half, UCLA had a golden opportunity to cut the deficit as center forward Sergi Solans Ormo had a great look on goal. Nonetheless, Goldson came up with another big-time save to preserve Michigan’s lead.
In the 72nd minute, Michigan’s Raymundo Mendez launched a cross that hit the hand of UCLA’s Allan Legaspi, who was in the box, granting the Wolverines a penalty kick. Substitute midfielder Quin Rogers stepped up to take the penalty and calmly placed it in the bottom right corner, sealing the win for Michigan.
The Bruins will remain in Michigan as they head to East Lansing to face Michigan State on Monday. They will then return home to host Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 24 at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.
Featured Image Photographed by Libby Li/Daily Bruin
