UCLA Men’s Soccer Claims Big Ten Tournament Championship with Dominating 5-0 Victory Over Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The UCLA Bruins secured their first Big Ten Conference title as 2023, defeating No. 3-seed Michigan 5-0 in the championship match on Saturday. The victory also earns UCLA (8-6-4) its fifth consecutive postseason appearance.
Sergi Solans Ormo led the Bruins’ offensive onslaught with a historic hat trick – his third of the season – setting a new program record for most hat tricks in a single season. He also became the first player in Big ten tournament history, dating back to 1991, to achieve the feat. Solans Ormo has scored 12 goals in his last five matches and now has a season total of 16.
Konstantinos Georgallides added a brace for UCLA, scoring the opening goal and the team’s fifth.
UCLA took an early lead in the 13th minute when Tre Wright’s pass found Ander Marticorena, who crossed to Solans Ormo. After Solans Ormo’s shot hit the crossbar, Georgallides headed in the rebound for his fourth goal of the season. before halftime, Shakir Nixon’s cross found Solans Ormo for a header, making the score 2-0.
The Bruins continued their dominance early in the second half. Nixon’s interception sparked a counterattack, leading to a Georgallides assist to Solans Ormo for his 14th goal of the season. solans Ormo completed his hat trick in the 60th minute, capitalizing on a goalkeeper error.Georgallides then sealed the victory with a right-footed strike just a minute later.
UCLA will now await its NCAA Tournament destination when the selection committee announces pairings on Monday, Nov. 17.
