LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - UCLA secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Iowa on Thursday evening at UCLA Soccer Stadium, in a match that saw the Hawkeyes reduced to ten players early in the first half. The win improved UCLA's record to 9-4-2 while Iowa dropped to 10-3-3.
Kara Croone opened the scoring for UCLA in the 2nd minute, finishing a well-coordinated attack assisted by Emma Egizii and Oruha Hayashi. Emma Egizii doubled the Bruins' advantage in the 60th minute off a setup from Val Vargas, before Grace Shank sealed the result with UCLA's third goal in the 74th minute after connecting with Julia Molnar's pass.
The first half's trajectory was dramatically altered in the 6th minute when Iowa's Sofia Bush received a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. UCLA capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Kara Croone particularly active, recording three shots in the opening 45 minutes. The Bruins dominated possession and created multiple chances, forcing Iowa to adopt a defensive stance. America Frias and Oruha Hayashi controlled the midfield for UCLA, with Hayashi drawing a foul in the 8th minute that led to a dangerous free kick.
UCLA maintained their pressure in the second half, with Emma Egizii becoming increasingly influential. The Bruins made tactical adjustments at halftime, introducing fresh legs with Jordan Geis, Cassidy Doogan, and Sofia Atehortua all entering the match. Julia Molnar emerged as a key playmaker, creating several opportunities and ultimately assisting on Shank's goal. Iowa's defensive unit, despite being short-handed, managed to stay organized under pressure, with their goalkeeper making several crucial saves to prevent the score from expanding further.
The statistical dominance of UCLA was evident throughout the match. The Bruins outshot Iowa 31-1, putting 16 attempts on target compared to Iowa's single shot. UCLA also held a significant advantage in corner kicks (11-1). Both teams received yellow cards - Iowa's coming in the 39th minute for unsporting behavior, while UCLA's Emma Egizii was cautioned in the 74th minute.
Several Bruins delivered standout performances. Emma Egizii was particularly impactful, recording both a goal and an assist while taking multiple shots on target. Kara Croone's early goal set the tone for UCLA's attack, while Julia Molnar's creative distribution in midfield helped maintain the Bruins' offensive pressure. For Iowa, despite the challenging circumstances, Lexy Griffin showed resilience in defense, while Berit Parten worked tirelessly to provide an outlet when the Hawkeyes did manage to counter.
UCLA's tactical approach emphasized wide play and quick transitions, particularly after gaining the numerical advantage. The Bruins effectively used their fullbacks to stretch Iowa's defense, with Payten Cooper and America Frias providing width and creating overlapping runs. Iowa, forced to adjust after the early red card, maintained a disciplined defensive shape but struggled to generate attacking opportunities.
The victory extends UCLA's positive momentum after a challenging road trip that saw them lose to Wisconsin and draw with Minnesota. For Iowa, the defeat ends a two-game winning streak that included impressive victories over Maryland and Michigan State.
Looking ahead, both teams face quick turnarounds with important weekend matches. UCLA will host Nebraska on Sunday afternoon, while Iowa travels across Los Angeles to face USC in an evening contest. The Bruins will look to build on this commanding performance, while the Hawkeyes aim to bounce back from their first loss in three games.