WOMEN’S SOCCER — Bouncing back after losing an important conference game last week, the No. 11 UCSD women’s soccer team returned to its winning ways over the weekend.
The Tritons sneaked past California Collegiate Athletic Association rival Cal State San Bernardino 1-0 on Oct. 23 at Triton Field. UCSD followed up with another 1-0 victory two days later against Cal Poly Pomona on Oct. 25. The victories improve the Tritons record to an impressive 14-3 (11-3 CCAA) giving them possession of first place in the CCAA South Division.
UCSD got out to an early 1-0 advantage against Cal State San Bernardino and never looked back. The Tritons took command of the match in the seventh minute, when junior midfielder Lisa Bradley deflected a corner kick and headed it past the Cal State San Bernardino keeper. Bradley’s first goal of the year makes her the 13th player on the squad to score a goal this season.
Unlike the Coyote offense — which shot very aggressively to overcome UCSD’s one goal advantage — the Triton offense was selective with their shots. San Bernardino outshot UCSD 12-3 in the game.
“Yes they had a lot of shots,” head coach Brian McManus said, “But I don’t think [sophomore goal keeper] Kristin [Armstrong] was ever bothered, there was never a hard save to make.”
UCSD’s defense played very efficiently and did an excellent job of disrupting the aggressive Cal State San Bernardino offense. Of the 12 Coyote shots, only three required a save. Armstrong maintained the Triton lead by making two saves — one in the first period and one in the second period.
Bradley — who scored the game winning goal — also added a team save in the second period when she deflected a ball on a Coyote corner kick that was heading dangerously close to the UCSD net.
“Give our girls credit, not one of their better games,” McManus said, “But lot of teams would have folded under the pressure and they stood up to it well.”
After defeating the Coyotes, the Tritons aimed their sights on the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos.
Freshman defender Haley Johnson netted her second goal of the season in the games 13th minute and UCSD’s defense held strong en route to the 1-0 final score. Armstrong’s second shutout in as many games gave the Triton’s their ninth win over their previous ten games.
The victory assures the Tritons a spot in the CCAA Championships, a guarantee that will give the team some breathing room over the final two games of the regular season.
“The pressure is starting to get to the younger players now,” McManus said. “We have to try to get that out of their heads and just get them concentrated to play one game at a time.”
The Tritons next play at home on Friday, Oct. 30 against Cal State Los Angeles, who currently sits one place behind UCSD in the conference standings.
Readers can contact John Beck at [email protected].
