Coming into this year, many questioned whether UCSD athletics would be able to compete with the new Division II competition our teams would be facing.
The Triton women’s soccer team has answered that question with a definitive “”yes.””
With two big wins this week against Grand Canyon University and California State University San Bernardino, the Tritons made big strives toward excellency.
The women’s soccer team clinched a berth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament after a 4-0 stomping of the Grand Canyon Antelopes on the road Friday.
Erika Alfredson was on a tear again, scoring two goals on six shots. She also had an assist.
Cindy Dostalek and Elizabeth Hughes each added a goal and Christy Abizaid contributed with two assists.
Triton goalkeeper Kami Poma had one save in 70 minutes of work and Carolyn Cadei had four in the remaining 20 minutes of play.
After the playoff-clinching victory, the Tritons headed home for a huge match against San Bernardino.
Earlier this season, the two teams had gotten together to rumble in San Bernardino, and UCSD suffered one of its two losses during their first ever CCAA match, losing 4-2.
This time around, the Coyotes were no match for UCSD as the Tritons trounced the visitors 3-2.
“”I just think we’ve matured since that time with nine first-year players,”” said Triton head coach Brian McManus. “”The first game of the season we weren’t quite ready. I think as the season’s gone on we’ve gotten a lot better and a lot tougher.””
The Triton received their goals from a trifecta of players. Alfredson was up to her old tricks with the team’s first goal off a Hughes assist.
Jessica Cordova got in on the fun after a Dostalek assist opened her up for another Triton goal.
Julia Cuder rounded out the scoring with a shot off of an Abizaid assist.
Poma was rarely tested, needing to make only two saves.
Next up for UCSD is a pivotal contest against Cal Poly Pomona, which shares with UCSD a position atop the CCAA Southern Division standings. The Tritons, who downed Cal Poly 1-0 in overtime this year, will win the South with a victory. If Cal Poly wins, they may take the crown.
“”We’re just going game to game, taking it as it comes,”” McManus said. “”We’ve got a big game to see who wins the South. We’re a first-year squad. The conference has proved it’s tough. It’s going to be a tight game; a very, very tight game. “”
The Tritons, who now stand at 11-2 in CCAA play and 13-2 overall, will head to Pomona on Friday for a match at 4:30 p.m.
