Friday, September 12
Los Angeles, Calif.
9 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
UCLA
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Jets West For California Road Swing
9/11/2025 10:38:00β―AM | Men's Soccer
βCats open Big Ten play Friday night at UCLA, battle UC Riverside Monday afternoon
EVANSTON, Ill. (September 11, 2025) β Coming off a thrilling win in its road opener, Northwestern men's soccer (3-1-1) is set to head west for a two-game road swing through Southern California.
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The 'Cats open the trip on Friday evening with a 9 p.m. CT showdown with UCLA in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams at Wallis Annenberg Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.Β Following its matchup with the Bruins, Northwestern will head 70 miles inland to Riverside, Calif., where a 1 p.m. CT Monday matinee with UC Riverside awaits.
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LAST TIME OUT
Omar Jallow found the back of the net with just under three minutes remaining in the second half to lift Northwestern over Xavier, 1-0, this past Saturday at Corcoran Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. Alejandro Martinez Santamaria and Jayvin Van Deventer were credited with assists on Jallow's tally, with Martinez Santamaria registering his Big Ten-best fifth helper of the season. Rafael Ponce de León made a pair of saves in goal as the Wildcat defensive unit limited the hosts to only five shots.
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Northwestern's victory over the Musketeers also saw Wildcats' head coach Russell Payne reach 100 wins for his collegiate coaching career.
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SCOUTING UCLA
UCLA begins conference play with an 0-3-2 record through the opening three weeks of the 2025 season.Β The Bruins are coming off a heartbreaking 2-1 setback on the road at Loyola Marymount this past Sunday.
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Tabbed fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, head coach Ryan Jorden piloted the Bruins to a 7-6-6 finish (3-4-3 B1G) and fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2024. Jorden's roster features an abundance of new faces in 2025, with only 10 letterwinners returning from last season.Β Oliver Roche and Sergi Solans Ormo, a pair of transfers, have accounted for UCLA's two goals on the year.
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Ryan Tiltack has received the starting nod in goal in each of UCLA's last four games.Β Tiltack made a season-high three stops against both Cal State Fullerton and No. 18 Kentucky, posting his first career clean sheet in the latter matchup.
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SCOUTING UC RIVERSIDE
Following an 0-2-1 start to 2025, UC Riverside has picked up wins in back-to-back games to climb back to the .500 mark on the year, sitting at 2-2-1 ahead of Monday's clash with the 'Cats.
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Under the guidance of head coach Tim Cupello, the Highlanders, who were picked eighth in the Big West Conference Preseason Poll, are coming off 2-0 blankings of UNLV and San Diego State, respectively.
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Six players have accounted for UC Riverside's six goals through the opening five games of the season, with Jackson D'Alessandro and Adrian Diaz laying claim to the team's two game-winning goals.Β Andrew Hermosillo has started in all five games in goal, boasting a 1.20 goals against average and a pair of shutouts.
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SERIES STUFF
Friday's Big Ten Conference opener will serve as only the third all-time meeting between Northwestern and UCLA in men's soccer. The Bruins, who have won both previous meetings, defeated the 'Cats by a 1-0 margin last season through a ninth-minute penalty kick goal from Jose Contell.
Β
During Payne's tenure, Northwestern is 0-3-1 (.125) in its Big Ten openers. The Wildcats last began their conference slate on the road in 2023, playing Wisconsin to a 2-2 stalemate.
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Northwestern prevailed in its only previous meeting with UC Riverside, blanking the Highlanders, 2-0, back on September 15, 2023.
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UP NEXT
Northwestern returns home on Friday, September 19 to host Rutgers in a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff.Β The matchup against the Scarlet Knights begins a stretch that will see the Wildcats play four of their next five contests at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
Β
The 'Cats open the trip on Friday evening with a 9 p.m. CT showdown with UCLA in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams at Wallis Annenberg Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.Β Following its matchup with the Bruins, Northwestern will head 70 miles inland to Riverside, Calif., where a 1 p.m. CT Monday matinee with UC Riverside awaits.
Β
LAST TIME OUT
Omar Jallow found the back of the net with just under three minutes remaining in the second half to lift Northwestern over Xavier, 1-0, this past Saturday at Corcoran Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. Alejandro Martinez Santamaria and Jayvin Van Deventer were credited with assists on Jallow's tally, with Martinez Santamaria registering his Big Ten-best fifth helper of the season. Rafael Ponce de León made a pair of saves in goal as the Wildcat defensive unit limited the hosts to only five shots.
Β
Northwestern's victory over the Musketeers also saw Wildcats' head coach Russell Payne reach 100 wins for his collegiate coaching career.
Β
SCOUTING UCLA
UCLA begins conference play with an 0-3-2 record through the opening three weeks of the 2025 season.Β The Bruins are coming off a heartbreaking 2-1 setback on the road at Loyola Marymount this past Sunday.
Β
Tabbed fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, head coach Ryan Jorden piloted the Bruins to a 7-6-6 finish (3-4-3 B1G) and fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2024. Jorden's roster features an abundance of new faces in 2025, with only 10 letterwinners returning from last season.Β Oliver Roche and Sergi Solans Ormo, a pair of transfers, have accounted for UCLA's two goals on the year.
Β
Ryan Tiltack has received the starting nod in goal in each of UCLA's last four games.Β Tiltack made a season-high three stops against both Cal State Fullerton and No. 18 Kentucky, posting his first career clean sheet in the latter matchup.
Β
SCOUTING UC RIVERSIDE
Following an 0-2-1 start to 2025, UC Riverside has picked up wins in back-to-back games to climb back to the .500 mark on the year, sitting at 2-2-1 ahead of Monday's clash with the 'Cats.
Β
Under the guidance of head coach Tim Cupello, the Highlanders, who were picked eighth in the Big West Conference Preseason Poll, are coming off 2-0 blankings of UNLV and San Diego State, respectively.
Β
Six players have accounted for UC Riverside's six goals through the opening five games of the season, with Jackson D'Alessandro and Adrian Diaz laying claim to the team's two game-winning goals.Β Andrew Hermosillo has started in all five games in goal, boasting a 1.20 goals against average and a pair of shutouts.
Β
SERIES STUFF
Friday's Big Ten Conference opener will serve as only the third all-time meeting between Northwestern and UCLA in men's soccer. The Bruins, who have won both previous meetings, defeated the 'Cats by a 1-0 margin last season through a ninth-minute penalty kick goal from Jose Contell.
Β
During Payne's tenure, Northwestern is 0-3-1 (.125) in its Big Ten openers. The Wildcats last began their conference slate on the road in 2023, playing Wisconsin to a 2-2 stalemate.
Β
Northwestern prevailed in its only previous meeting with UC Riverside, blanking the Highlanders, 2-0, back on September 15, 2023.
Β
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns home on Friday, September 19 to host Rutgers in a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff.Β The matchup against the Scarlet Knights begins a stretch that will see the Wildcats play four of their next five contests at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
Players Mentioned
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