Success streaks are empowering.
Yet the pressure that accompanies them may be detrimental.
But not for the Bruins.
No. 11 UCLA men’s soccer (3-0-2) will face Rutgers (1-3-1) in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Friday to open Big Ten play. UCLA is entering off a 2-1 victory over Omaha, continuing its undefeated streak and putting an end to Omaha’s.
After another game forcing a comeback from the Bruins – who entered halftime down 1-0 against the Mavericks – coach Ryan Jorden’s squad has shown its ability to continue pushing on from a setback.
“If you can have your guys feeling that (they can come back) even when they’ve gone behind, then you’ve got a feeling in your team that you can achieve lots of things,” Jorden said.
In the match against Omaha, Jorden’s squad outshot its opponent 12 to four, limiting the Mavericks to just one shot on goal.
“No matter what the score is, we’re going to prove we’re the better team,” said senior defender and team captain Tre Wright. “We take games. We don’t just take the scores.”
Jorden’s definition of success has stuck with his players, with fifth-year forward Cameron Arnold sharing Wright’s viewpoint following his team’s win against Omaha.
Arnold scored the equalizing goal in the game, his first in a UCLA jersey after spending three seasons at James Madison.
“I don’t think anyone in there doubted that we’re somehow going to come back,” Arnold said. “Coming back late is always a great trait to have in a team – just shows we trust each other, and we work relentlessly no matter what the result is at the time.”
While the Bruins are traveling to Piscataway carrying an early-season undefeated streak, the Scarlet Knights are looking to turn the page after a two-game losing streak.
The squad’s success may be found with forward Andrew Kitch, who leads the team in goals, netting two through the year so far.
Last year, Kitch sat third on the team in goals, trailing midfielder Joschi Schelb and forward Dan Karsten. Schelb was a key piece of the team’s success, ranking first in most categories. His absence on the team’s roster this season could allow Kitch to assume that responsibility.
Goalkeeper Rafael Ponce de Leon may also pose a challenge for the Bruins on Friday. After four years at Northwestern – where he recorded a career-high seven saves against UCLA last year – his familiarity with Big Ten play and Jorden’s squad could give him an edge.
In the 2025 season, the Bruins took down the Scarlet Knights 5-2 in their first of three outings recording five goals. With the attacking prowess UCLA has shown through this season, recording 10 goals through its five games, the squad may be more dangerous than in the prior season.
Starting the conference slate, the Bruins are looking to flip the script and stay consistent through the whole game, preventing them from having to fight back from tough spots.
“We have to focus on a bit of organization and accountability,” Wright said. “We don’t shut off ever for 90 minutes straight because we’re struggling with conceding early, conceding first, conceding late. That comes from the older guys – including myself – of, ‘How do we keep everyone locked in for 90 minutes?’”
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