Cal Earns Draw Against No. 12 UCLA

Tuesday, September 1

5:00 PM

California

1-0-2, 0-0-0

UCLA

2-0-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
UCLA	0	2	2
California	1	1	2

9/1/2026 8:30 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Bears Net Two In Home Opener

By: Cal Athletics

BERKELEY – California men's soccer battled No. 12 UCLA to a dramatic 2-2 draw on Tuesday, September 1 at Edwards Stadium.

The Golden Bears were on the offensive from the start, taking the first shot of the match in the seventh minute. Cal continued to press offensively throughout the first half, striking first in the 32nd minute with a goal from Malcom Zalayet, assisted by Florentino Junior. The Bears took a 1-0 lead into halftime, preventing the Bruins from taking a single shot on goal during the first half.

Cal took the first shot of the second half, but UCLA found the back of the net to equalize the game in the 62nd minute. The goal marked the first allowed by the Bears this season, bringing an end to a 241 minute shutout streak. Both teams continued to take shots, but the Bruins would net the next goal, taking a 2-1 lead in the 82nd minute.

The Bears had no quit, pressuring the Bruins and taking four more shots in the final few minutes of the game. In a scramble in front of the goal, Kai Oppenheim found an opportunity and scored a last minute equalizer in the 90th minute to secure a 2-2 draw for the Bears.

Cal led UCLA in both shots and shots on goal, Oppenheim leading the Bears with three shots. Oppenheim and Zalayet both netted their first goal of the season; Zalayet's eighth career goal, and Oppenheim's fourth career goal, his first as a Golden Bear.

Cal is back at Edwards Stadium to continue its home stand and open ACC play against North Carolina on Sep. 6, the match set to air on ACCNX.

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