UCLA women’s soccer wins NCAA tournament opener

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Senior defender MacKenzie Cerda starred in the UCLA women’s soccer team’s 3-1 win over San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, scoring once, assisting on the eventual game-winner and drawing a foul that led to a free kick goal.

Anika Rodriguez opened the scoring with a free kick in the 16th minute and Julia Hernandez headed in UCLA’s second goal, in the 54th minute, taking assists from Cerda and Jacey Pederson. Cerda capped the victory with a looping shot she tucked into the upper 90 in the 86th minute.

The No. 2-seeded Bruins (16-2-2) outshot the Aztecs, the Mountain West champions, 20-9. UCLA goalkeeper Teagan Micah made five saves.

The Bruins face the winner of Northwestern-Butler on Friday, Nov. 17 in the second round at Drake Stadium.