The Tritons dominated their final game of the season against Grand Canyon University on Nov. 2 with a 2-0 win, despite playing in particularly difficult terrain.
Visiting UCSD scored a goal in each half, punctuating its dominance over the Antelopes in everything but saves and fouls. Nevertheless, the Tritons encountered many obstacles during the game.
“”It was a hard game, with a bumpy field,”” said Triton head coach Brian McManus of the logistical challenges the Tritons faced at their away game.
Despite the daunting task that the hostile turf offered them, the Tritons fought with ambition and took care of business, taking a huge lead in shots from the start of the game, eventually transforming into a 14-5 ratio against the lethargic Antelopes.
“”The girls battled hard on a field that was not for soccer,”” McManus said.
The Tritons rolled into an early advantage in the marathon match, which they held onto and added to as the game went on. The UCSD women’s soccer team showed its resiliency in the face of hurdles and led from start to finish.
Triton sophomore Britni Wenck captured the crucial first goal for the afternoon, completing a successful shot after the ball rebounded off the crossbar.
The eight corner kicks that UCSD had are exemplary of the fact that the Tritons kept the offensive heat on Grand Canyon University, with the game played predominantly on the Antelopes’ side of the field.
UCSD’s Kristin Jones, Lauren Jacobs and Christine Kwon established themselves as offensive superstars in the game, responsible for numerous corner kicks and attempted shots.
With less than seven minutes left in the game, the Tritons guaranteed victory with an additional goal from freshman Kristina De La Rosa off an indirect kick taken by teammate sophomore Jackie Shaffer.
The tight Triton defense dug in its heels in the warm luster of the Arizona sun and withstood the charges of the Antelopes.
The sole saving grace for the aggressive but sophomoric performance of the Antelopes, which logged a total of 12 fouls versus the 10 by UCSD, was its senior goalkeeper, Jolene Gagnon, who blocked many of the Triton shots.
Tritons junior goalkeeper Kami Poma deflected a shot in the second half, which effectively brought an end to the few late pushes of the Antelopes.
Low attendance figures at Grand Canyon University’s Soccer Complex was also a factor in bringing about the demoralized state of the Antelopes.
The UCSD women’s soccer team improved to 13-2-1 overall and 11-2-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Antelopes tanked during the season with a record of 2-17-1 overall and 1-13 in the CCAA.
The Tritons mounted a spectacular comeback from last week’s tie against Cal Poly Pomona and utilizing the dexterity and perseverance they exemplified in the game against the Antelopes.
The Tritons do not have any time to savor the moment. No. 6-ranked UCSD will play in the CCAA Championship, which will begin Nov. 7 at Sonoma State’s Seawolf Soccer Field.
