Georgia Opens Season Against No. 8 UCLA at Turner
RV/NR Georgia (0-0-0, 0-0-0 SEC) vs. No. 8/8 UCLA (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten)
Date: Thursday, Aug. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Site: Turner Soccer Complex (1,682)
MEDIA INFORMATION
TV: ESPNU (Alex Perlman, PxP / Marion Crowder, Analyst)
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer
Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: UCLA leads 2-0-0
In Athens: First Meeting
In Los Angeles: UCLA leads 1-0-0
Neutral: UCLA leads 1-0-0
Last Meeting: UCLA – W, 2-0 (Aug. 17, 2023 – Los Angeles, Calif.)
Current Streak: L2
GF / GA: 1 / 8
QUICK KICKS
Blue Blood in Opener
Georgia opens its 31st season of soccer with one of the most notable non-conference home matches in program history, welcoming No. 8 UCLA to Athens. Thursday’s match is the third all-time meeting between the Bulldogs and Bruins, following a 6-1 loss in Gainesville, Florida in 2000 and a 2-0 defeat two seasons ago in Westwood. Georgia was selected fourth in the SEC preseason coaches’ poll, while UCLA came in second for the Big Ten.
Head coach Keidane McAlpine has faced UCLA on 12 previous occasions, earning his lone victory in 2015 as USC head coach. Georgia is seeking to earn its first home victory over a top 10 side since topping No. 4 Texas, 2-1, on Sept. 27, 2015. The Bulldogs have tied top 10 opponents (Clemson, 2023 and Pitt, 2024) in each of the past two seasons.
New Faces
Georgia enters the 2025 season with one of the largest roster turnovers in program history, welcoming back only 11 letterwinners along with 18 freshmen and transfers. In the process, the Bulldogs have gone from a roster with seven graduate players in 2024 to 12 first-year athletes in 2025. The transfer class is led by graduate defender Laila Booker, a three-time All-Ivy League performer at Yale, who was ranked 79th in TopDrawerSoccer’s Top 100 Player Rankings. The transfers also include LSU veteran forward Sage Glover, All-Big 12 midfielder Juliauna Hayward (Colorado), and Big 12 champion Assa Kante (Kansas).
On the freshman front, USYNT members Mya Townes and Hannah Folliard highlight an esteemed class which also includes Mexican youth national teamers Hailey Gordon and Ava Stack. Townes was invited to the U18 training camp in May after scoring the winning goal in the U.S. U17 team’s final victory in the 2024 Concacaf Women’s U17 Championship. With 12 freshmen, it is Georgia’s largest incoming class since 14 joined for the 2021 season. The large influx of talent also creates a notable age gap in teammates, with birth dates ranging from May 2002 to July 2008.
It’s a Keeper
With the unfortunate loss of senior goalkeeper Jordan Brown for the season due to injury, Georgia will be turning to a new netminder for the first time in three seasons. Freshman Hannah Folliard reclassified from the class of 2026 to this season and will be a top candidate for the starting job. Folliard recently attended the USYNT U17 training camp and is a contender for this year’s U.S. U17 World Cup roster. She previously served as an alternate for the Concacaf U17 Championship. Redshirt freshman Nicole Bidun and freshman Victoria Saah will also compete for the role.
Strong Slate
Throughout his early tenure in Athens, Keidane McAlpine has made it a point to challenge his team with a difficult schedule. This year’s schedule proved to be no different, with Georgia facing five opponents ranked in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, along with three schools receiving votes. North Carolina marks the fourth consecutive season in which Georgia has faced the defending national champion in the regular season. In conference play, the Bulldogs will take on three of the SEC’s top five preseason squads: Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee.
Up Next
Georgia continues its six-match homestand to start the season with a matchup against the UAlbany Great Danes on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. at Turner. The match will stream live on SEC Network+.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Promotion: The first 500 spectators to stay through halftime will receive a free Georgia water bottle.
Free Admission: All matches at Turner Soccer Complex are free. No tickets are required for admission.
Entrance: Spectators will only be able to enter the Turner Soccer Complex through the spectator gate located next to the soccer field on the left field/third base side of the softball stadium.
Clear Bags: The UGA Clear Bag policy will be in effect for all home matches.
Prohibited Items: Umbrellas and outside noise makers are not permitted at Turner Soccer Complex.
Sustainability: Turner Soccer Complex is on a journey to become a zero-waste facility for the 2025 season.
Concessions: Concessions will be available via cashless/contactless payment.
Merchandise: The UGA Bookstore will be selling merchandise on site.
Date: Thursday, Aug. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Site: Turner Soccer Complex (1,682)
MEDIA INFORMATION
TV: ESPNU (Alex Perlman, PxP / Marion Crowder, Analyst)
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer
Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: UCLA leads 2-0-0
In Athens: First Meeting
In Los Angeles: UCLA leads 1-0-0
Neutral: UCLA leads 1-0-0
Last Meeting: UCLA – W, 2-0 (Aug. 17, 2023 – Los Angeles, Calif.)
Current Streak: L2
GF / GA: 1 / 8
QUICK KICKS
Blue Blood in Opener
Georgia opens its 31st season of soccer with one of the most notable non-conference home matches in program history, welcoming No. 8 UCLA to Athens. Thursday’s match is the third all-time meeting between the Bulldogs and Bruins, following a 6-1 loss in Gainesville, Florida in 2000 and a 2-0 defeat two seasons ago in Westwood. Georgia was selected fourth in the SEC preseason coaches’ poll, while UCLA came in second for the Big Ten.
Head coach Keidane McAlpine has faced UCLA on 12 previous occasions, earning his lone victory in 2015 as USC head coach. Georgia is seeking to earn its first home victory over a top 10 side since topping No. 4 Texas, 2-1, on Sept. 27, 2015. The Bulldogs have tied top 10 opponents (Clemson, 2023 and Pitt, 2024) in each of the past two seasons.
New Faces
Georgia enters the 2025 season with one of the largest roster turnovers in program history, welcoming back only 11 letterwinners along with 18 freshmen and transfers. In the process, the Bulldogs have gone from a roster with seven graduate players in 2024 to 12 first-year athletes in 2025. The transfer class is led by graduate defender Laila Booker, a three-time All-Ivy League performer at Yale, who was ranked 79th in TopDrawerSoccer’s Top 100 Player Rankings. The transfers also include LSU veteran forward Sage Glover, All-Big 12 midfielder Juliauna Hayward (Colorado), and Big 12 champion Assa Kante (Kansas).
On the freshman front, USYNT members Mya Townes and Hannah Folliard highlight an esteemed class which also includes Mexican youth national teamers Hailey Gordon and Ava Stack. Townes was invited to the U18 training camp in May after scoring the winning goal in the U.S. U17 team’s final victory in the 2024 Concacaf Women’s U17 Championship. With 12 freshmen, it is Georgia’s largest incoming class since 14 joined for the 2021 season. The large influx of talent also creates a notable age gap in teammates, with birth dates ranging from May 2002 to July 2008.
It’s a Keeper
With the unfortunate loss of senior goalkeeper Jordan Brown for the season due to injury, Georgia will be turning to a new netminder for the first time in three seasons. Freshman Hannah Folliard reclassified from the class of 2026 to this season and will be a top candidate for the starting job. Folliard recently attended the USYNT U17 training camp and is a contender for this year’s U.S. U17 World Cup roster. She previously served as an alternate for the Concacaf U17 Championship. Redshirt freshman Nicole Bidun and freshman Victoria Saah will also compete for the role.
Strong Slate
Throughout his early tenure in Athens, Keidane McAlpine has made it a point to challenge his team with a difficult schedule. This year’s schedule proved to be no different, with Georgia facing five opponents ranked in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, along with three schools receiving votes. North Carolina marks the fourth consecutive season in which Georgia has faced the defending national champion in the regular season. In conference play, the Bulldogs will take on three of the SEC’s top five preseason squads: Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee.
Up Next
Georgia continues its six-match homestand to start the season with a matchup against the UAlbany Great Danes on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. at Turner. The match will stream live on SEC Network+.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Promotion: The first 500 spectators to stay through halftime will receive a free Georgia water bottle.
Free Admission: All matches at Turner Soccer Complex are free. No tickets are required for admission.
Entrance: Spectators will only be able to enter the Turner Soccer Complex through the spectator gate located next to the soccer field on the left field/third base side of the softball stadium.
Clear Bags: The UGA Clear Bag policy will be in effect for all home matches.
Prohibited Items: Umbrellas and outside noise makers are not permitted at Turner Soccer Complex.
Sustainability: Turner Soccer Complex is on a journey to become a zero-waste facility for the 2025 season.
Concessions: Concessions will be available via cashless/contactless payment.
Merchandise: The UGA Bookstore will be selling merchandise on site.
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