The No. 21 UCSD men’s soccer team blanked Cal State Stanislaus 1-0 on Oct. 16 to complete the Tritons’ three-game road trip, in which they finished 2-1.
The Tritons (10-3-1 overall, 7-3-1 California Collegiate Association) came into the match after splitting their first two contests on the trip, losing to Cal State Bakersfield 2-1 on Oct. 12 before beating Chico State 1-0 in overtime on Oct. 14.
The shutout victory over the Warriors was the Tritons’ second- straight victory and eighth overall. The Triton defense has been spectacular this year, keeping up in games even when the offensive unit is subpar. The defense, led by the five shutouts from senior goalkeeper Edward Ruhland, has only allowed seven goals through fourteen games, an incredible 0.5 goals per game average.
With an average like that, the Tritons should need only a goal a game to keep on winning and to close out the regular season. The team got the one goal needed in the 18th minute, off the golden foot of sophomore midfielder Pat Kelly. Kelly’s second goal of the year came off a feed from junior midfielder Chase Douglas and gave the Tritons an early 1-0 lead.
With sparkling defense expected now, it was no shock to see the Tritons shut down any Warrior attack. Ruhland notched only three saves in the game because the defense in front of him allowed only seven shots all game. While the Warrior offense was faltering, the Triton offense took 11 shots, but needed only Kelly’s shot for the victory.
This victory was very significant for the Tritons’ playoff hopes, as it moves them into first place in the CCAA South Division with 22 points. The team passed then-No. 4 Cal State Dominguez Hills thanks to the combination of a UCSD win and the Toros’ 6-0 loss at Sonoma State on Oct. 16. With the loss, the Toros fall to a 6-2-2 CCAA record, leaving them four points behind the Tritons with only three games left in the regular season.
The Tritons’ upcoming games include a possible playoff preview between the Tritons and the No. 10 Toros at Triton Soccer Stadium on Oct. 22. This game is a must-win for the Tritons if they wish to maintain their lead in the CCAA South Division. After the showdown against CSUDH, the Tritons will travel to San Bernardino to face the Coyotes on Oct. 26. The Tritons’ regular season finale will come at home against Cal State Los Angeles on Oct. 29. Once time runs out against CSULA, the Tritons will focus their attention on the upcoming CCAA Championships, which begin on Nov. 4.
