The No. 9 UCSD women’s soccer team extended its win streak to nine games with a 2-1 win over Chico State on Oct. 16 in Chico, Calif.
The win was the Tritons’ third-straight over ranked opponents, following impressive wins over then-No. 12 Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sept. 21 and then-No. 2 Seattle University on Sept. 10.
Senior Heather Szafraniec helped the Tritons get on the board when she squeezed a low, bouncing ball just inside the left post in the ninth minute, the first of the senior’s career.
The goal was set up by junior Megan Dickey, who weaved the ball through traffic before crossing the assist to Szafraniec.
Freshman Laura Borenstein gave UCSD a 2-0 lead in the 52nd minute when she buried sophomore Kathy Sepulveda’s cross from 12 yards out.
The goal was Borenstein’s second of the season.
“Before the game, no one was able to score more than once against the Wildcats,” McManus said. “The Wildcats have the best defense in the league.”
Chico State was not bereft of chances to score, and put up a strong battle against the visiting Tritons. The Wildcats, who have been shut out only once this season, got on the board in the 70th minute.
Wildcat senior Lexi Sheridan-Coons was the one to ignite the Chico State offense when she touched the ball to sophomore midfielder Premila Carleson on a restart, who then hammered it into the upper-left corner from about 23 yards out.
It was Carleson’s first goal of the season for Chico State, which actually out-shot UCSD 9-6.
Despite allowing more shots, the Tritons stayed in the game because of freshman goalkeeper Mia Shirley, who made a trio of key saves to secure the victory.
“We did very well defensively and everyone did their job,” McManus said.
With the win, the Tritons improved to 13-1-0 overall and 9-1-0 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play, while the Wildcats fell to 12-3-0 overall and 7-2-0 in league action.
“Offensively, we all backed each other up and took a win in the [Wildcats’] home field,” head coach Brian McManus said.
UCSD will next travel to Turlock, Ca. to face Cal State Stanislaus on Oct. 18.
The Tritons win streak came to an end on Oct. 16 against Cal State Domiguez Hills with a 2-1 loss. Details were unavailable at press time.
