No. 1 ranked Washington wins Pac-12 Championship 3-2 over UCLA

SEATTLE – The No. 1 Washington men’s soccer team (14-0-3, 6-0-2 Pac-12) celebrated a Pac-12 Championship on Thursday night with a 3-2 victory over UCLA.

This is the fourth conference championship for the Dawgs (2000, 2013, 2019) and the first to be clinched at Husky Soccer Stadium.

Ilijah Paul wasted no time getting the Huskies on the board. In the eighth minute, Nick Scardina sent the ball into the box for Imanol Rosales but Rosales’ shot was deflected and landed at the feet of Paul for the 1-0 lead. The goal marked the 11th of the season for Paul.

UCLA responded in the 28th minute to level the score at one before the half.

No. 1 @UW_MSoccer remains undefeated after taking a 3-2 decision vs. UCLA, claiming its 4th Pac-12 title in program history & the league's @NCAASoccer auto bid!

See the highlights ?#GoHuskies x #Pac12Soccer pic.twitter.com/TLoJoB43Kf

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 4, 2022

The Huskies came out strong in the second half with Lucas Meek adding a goal three minutes in off assists by Scardina and Paul.

In the 65th minute, the Huskies were awarded a penalty kick on a UCLA handball. Gio Miglietti went to the line for Washington and hit the ball in the top left corner to put the Dawgs up 3-1.

The Bruins brought the score within one in the 89th minute, but the Huskies were able to close it out to secure the victory.

Washington welcomes San Diego State on Sunday afternoon for Senior Day. The Huskies will honor 12 seniors pregame – Meek, Miglietti, Rosales, Jayson Baca, Khai Brisco, Sam Fowler, Omar Grey, Jensen Jabara, Michael Rojas, Christian Soto and Gabe Threadgold.