No. 1 UCLA off to best start in program history following 12th straight win to open season

LOS ANGELES – No. 1 UCLA is off to its best start in school history, winning its first 12 games of the year following a 4-0 victory over Arizona State.

The Bruins (12-0, 4-0 in Pac-12 play) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after five minutes and scored two more goals in the second half to hand the Sun Devils (6-2-2, 2-2-0) their second loss on the year.

As she did in the Bruins’ last game at Oregon State, Reilyn Turner wasted no time to give the Bruins the early advantage. At 1:51, she took an Ally Lemos corner kick and shot into the back of the net for her seventh goal of the season and fourth goal in her last two games.

The Bruins made it 2-0 at 5:12 after Sunshine Fontes and Lexi Wright combined to find Ally Cook for her third goal of the campaign.

UCLA continued to put the pressure on, peppering Sun Devil goalkeeper Pauline Nelles with nine first-half shots while holding ASU to just one shot, none on goal.

The Bruins increased their lead early in the second half, with Lemos hitting a banger for her first collegiate goal at 49:04. After receiving a pass from Brianne Riley outside the box, Lemos fired a screamer far post to give UCLA a 3-0 advantage.

? GOLAZO ALERT ?

Freshman @allyylemos' first collegiate goal is a BEAUTY. Assist credited to @brianneriley8.

? https://t.co/u0vCXXyRJg#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/JU080ZW0LA

— UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) October 7, 2022

Another Bruin recorded her first collegiate goal in the 71st minute, as graduate student Madelyn Desiano hit a rocket from the left side to the upper right corner of the goal. Wright earned the assist on the goal, her second of the game.

The first collegiate goal for @MadelynDesiano! ?? What a moment for the grad student! Lexi Wright picks up her second assist of the game.

? https://t.co/u0vCXXQt7Q#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/aPxsSKVcrA

— UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) October 7, 2022

Freshman goalkeeper Neeku Purcell, who entered the game for starter Lauren Brzykcy in the 76th minute, preserved the shutout for the Bruins in the 88th minute with a sprawling save on a shot by ASU’s Mia Lanni. The shutout was UCLA’s seventh of the season.

The Bruins outshot the Sun Devils by a 20-5 clip and had a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal.

UCLA will bring a 20-game conference unbeaten streak into its next contest on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2pm against Arizona.