UCLA’s women’s soccer team secured a 2-0 win over Long Beach State on Friday night, with first-year players making significant contributions. Freshman forward Payten Cooper scored her first collegiate goal and added an assist, while junior transfer Oruha Hayashi recorded her first NCAA goal. Freshmen Leena Powell and Grace Shank also provided assists.
In the first half, freshman goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor saved a penalty kick and helped maintain a clean sheet alongside sophomore Mariangela Medina, who made her collegiate debut in the second half.
The match saw UCLA (2-2) introduce several new starters after halftime. Cooper opened the scoring in the 50th minute, heading in a cross from Powell that followed a deflection by Hayashi. Shortly after, Medina made her first save on a shot from Julie Lopez.
Cooper was involved again in the Bruins’ second goal in the 65th minute, sending a ball to Shank, who set up Hayashi for a left-footed finish past Long Beach State goalkeeper Aurora Schuck.
UCLA limited Long Beach State (1-4) to six shots overall and allowed only one attempt after their second goal, earning their second shutout of the season.
“In the second half, we made some adjustments tactically, and we made some adjustments personnel-wise, and I thought the group that started the second half, you could just see the change in their mentality,” said UCLA head coach Margueritte Aozasa. “It was very clear they were not going to lose tonight.”
UCLA is scheduled to play at Portland on Thursday, September 4 before hosting top-ranked Stanford on Sunday, September 7.
