Lively fan support and fighter planes from Miramar Air Force Base roaring overhead punctuated the cool, crisp autumn air when the UCSD women’s soccer team decisively beat the Humboldt State Lumberjacks 2-0. The Oct. 19 game saw the Tritons outrun and outmaneuver their opponents at every turn, even during a slow second half.
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The homecoming game, albeit nonconference, reflects and reinforces UCSD’s status as a premier women’s soccer team. Junior forward Shannon Harrelson concurred.
“”The team played hard and came out with the right attitude,”” Harrelson said.
The game also saw exceptional individual efforts, including those of goal-scorers Harrelson and Kristen Conahan, Triton offensive catalysts Christine Wensel and Megan Mendoza, and the spirited defense of Molly Carlson.
The rout began with Harrelson’s unassisted corner kick goal, which slipped right through the Lumberjack goalie’s hands.
Senior midfielder Lauren Jacobs contributed to the Triton offense as well, helping UCSD control the ball. The Tritons forced the majority of the game’s action onto Humboldt State’s side of the field.
The energetic offensive drives on the Lumberjack goal, numerous penalty kicks by Wensel and direct kicks by Triton junior midfielder Amy Goker revealed the depth of the team’s talent. UCSD’s Christine Kwon and Kristina De La Rosa also made strong plays with well-executed assists on the goals scored by Harrelson and Conahan in the game.
The Lumberjacks looked unorganized in their loss, but UCSD lowered its play to the level of its opponent during some segments of the game. Wensel agreed, saying that the team was “”more pumped up the first half,”” and because of the early lead, the Tritons felt secure enough to “”lay off.””
Although UCSD’s enthusiasm slumped a bit in the second half, the Tritons still maintained their lead, with goalie Jamie Lautenschleger taking the reins and making strong saves.
Harrelson, after fantastic sidekicks and fancy footwork, was kicked hard in the shin, leaving her injured and forcing her to come out of the game, but UCSD was unfazed by the competition.
Constant substitutions had little impact on the lethargic play of the Lumberjacks. They were daunted by UCSD at every turn. Inconsistent Humboldt State-perpetrated kicks into the crowd almost broadsided UCSD fans multiple times.
Spectators at Triton Soccer Stadium were entertained as homecoming festivities continued throughout the game. The halftime shoot-out saw four fans squaring off to successfully hit three targets in the goal. The winner received a $4,000 party at the new Eucalyptus Point facility and a $1,000 Triton Plus Account.
The stands were about two-thirds full, but the additional attendance from patrons of the neighboring beer garden was a real asset, boosting attendance numbers to 1,021 fans.
UCSD will host California Collegiate Athletic Association South Division foe-Cal State San Bernardino in its regular season home finale on Oct. 26 at 4:30 p.m. at Triton Soccer Stadium.
The Tritons expect to improve while they finish their regular season schedule — as long as they can maintain their consistency, heart and determination.
