LOS ANGELES – San Diego's defense played well but two goals by No. 8 UCLA's Mohammed Kamara at the end of the first half were the difference as the Toreros fell to the Bruins on Friday night, 2-0.
 
After a quality first 40 minutes by USD (0-1-1), Kamara stuck for two goals exactly four minutes apart to give the Bruins (2-0) a 2-0 advantage.
 
The Toreros had trouble generating opportunities in the final third and were outshot, 9-4, by the Bruins despite holding a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Matt Wiher started the game in goal and made one save before being subbed off in the 24th minute due to injury. Wiher came out to challenge a UCLA player for a loose ball in the box but took a shot and a knee off his head in the process.
 
Connor Hountalas entered the game and finished the final 66 minutes, making two saves on the night. The backline of Aidan Marmion, Aaron Frey, Henry Lander and Patric Krall had their hands full with UCLA's potent attack but played well for a majority of the match. Josiah Benjamin made his season debut in the second half and contributed quality minutes.
 
The teams traded momentum early in the match but UCLA broke through in the 41st minute when Kamara utilized some fancy footwork to create space on the right side of the 18-yard box and snuck a shot into the lower right corner of the goal.
 
Kamara added a second goal just before the break with a hard-hit shot from the left side of the goal just inside of the penalty box to put UCLA up, 2-0.
 
USD's best scoring opportunity came in 59th minute when a loose ball off a cross by Freddy Polzer bounced around the box and fell to Reuben Dass' right foot. Dass hammered a shot off the bottom of the crossbar. However, the ball ricocheted back into the field of play.
 
The Toreros will look to bounce back Friday at 8:30 p.m. when it plays host to No. 2 Duke.