BERKELEY – Playing a man down for much of the game Thursday at Edwards Stadium, the California men's soccer team got the first career goal from defender Santiago Hopkins and tied UCLA 1-1.
 
After playing the penultimate regular-season home game of 2023, Cal has run its record to 6-5-5 (2-3-3 Pac-12). UCLA is 7-3-5 (4-0-4 Pac-12).
 
The Golden Bears had a 10-1 shots advantage over the Bruins in the first half, forcing goalkeeper Wyatt Nelson to make three of his six saves. The Bears also had a 4-3 corner-kick advantage in the first 45 minutes.
 
Forty-five seconds before halftime, the game changed when Cal defender Giancarlo Mota was shown a red card after a slide tackle, and Cal played the rest of the way with 10 players. Soon after the halftime whistle, Cal assistant coach Henry Foulk was also red carded.
 
The Bruins outshot Cal 9-6 in the second half. But the Bears surprised UCLA in the 60th minute, when Hopkins, a junior right back, lofted what looked like a cross from the flank that nestled into the far corner of the Bruins' goal and gave Cal a 1-0 lead. Along with his first career goal, Hopkins ultimately collected his first career shot on the play.
 
"I'd like to say I meant to shoot it, but all that matters is that it went into the back of the net," Hopkins said. "It's a special time to score your first collegiate goal, especially in a game like this. To do it with a man down is especially special."
 
In the 81st minute, a long Bruins pass from midfield found Andre Ochoa at the top of Cal's box. He eventually won possession of the ball and fired through several players. Cal goalkeeper Connor Lambe got a hand on the ball but couldn't stop the shot, and the game was tied 1-1.
 
Lambe made four of his six saves in the final minutes to preserve the draw.
 
"To play with a man down for as long as we did, it's always a feat when you come out with a result," Hopkins said. "I couldn't be more proud of the Bears."
 
Cal next plays its regular-season home finale Sunday at 2 p.m. PT, when the Bears host San Diego State. Prior to the game, Cal will hold its Senior Day ceremony. The Bears close the regular season Nov. 11 in the Big Clásico at No. 19 Stanford.
 
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