UCLA Beats Indiana, 2-1

UCLA did its best to erase the sting of a four-overtime loss to Indiana in last year’s NCAA men’s soccer Final Four by defeating the Hoosiers, 2-1, in the Adidas/IU Classic Saturday at Bloomington, Ind.

Indiana, ranked No. 1 in the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America poll, used Ryan Mack’s goal to beat the Bruins in the national semifinals en route to winning the NCAA championship. UCLA (2-0), ranked third, may take over the No. 1 ranking as McKinley Tennyson Jr. and Scot Thompson each scored in the first half.

Tennyson dribbled from the center circle to the goal area and drilled a shot past Indiana goalie T.J. Hannig in the 25th minute. Thompson tallied his second goal of the year in the 42nd minute on a header off a corner kick by Shaun Tsakiris.

Mack had an opportunity on a penalty kick in the 65th minute, but UCLA freshman goalie DJ Countess read Mack’s move and dived to his right to block Mack’s shot.

“It isn’t often I miss a penalty kick,” Mack said. “I thought I made a good shot, but it was an incredible save. DJ had a great game. He is an impressive freshman.”

That play became crucial when the Hoosiers scored in the 66th minute, Pat Noonan heading in a cross from Bobby de St. Aubin.

Countess, replacing the graduated Nick Rimando, made eight saves. UCLA defenders also helped him out by twice clearing the ball off the goal line to stave off an aggressive Hoosier attack.