Carson, Calif. ? UC San Diego's Kathy Sepulveda scored what proved to be the game-winner just minutes into the contest as the Tritons showed why they are ranked 7th in the nation, putting a stop to the Toros' unbeaten streak at five with a 1-0 win Wednesday night at Toro Stadium. With the loss, CSUDH's fifth in the last six meetings against UCSD, the Toros fall to 6-7-1, 5-4-1 CCAA, while the Tritons improve to 10-1-2, 7-1-2 CCAA.
After gaining control from the opening kick, the Tritons advanced the ball deep into Toro territory where a 50/50 ball was sent free after a collision at the 18-yard mark. UCSD's Alise Malley controlled the loose ball as it rolled deeper into the Toro zone and fed Sepulveda, who beat Toro keeper Ashley De Alejandro far post at 2:26 to give the Tritons a quick 1-0 lead.
The Tritons continued to control the pace for the rest of the half as all their six shots were on goal. UCSD had a chance to increase its lead at 24:22 but a sprinting De Alejandro met a Malley shot head on for the dramatic save. The Tritons had two more opportunities on headers in the 28th and 45th minutes, but De Alejandro proved worthy on both attempts, keeping the Toros close entering halftime.
CSUDH's offense awoke after the break, tallying 11 shots to the Triton's 3. Senior Rachele McDonald encountered the first real Toro chance in the 68th minute, finding herself alone after a scramble but sailing her shot wide. Junior Amy Livergood followed McDonald's lead in the 70th minute as she took a McDonald through ball in stride, but sailed her shot wide as well. Livergood then took CSUDH's last shot at the defending CCAA Champion by taking a corner from Corrie Hirokawa with just 58 seconds left in regulation, but her header sailed just over the bar, preserving UCSD's 1-0 win.
De Alejandro recorded six saves in the loss as CSUDH dropped its first game in six contests, while Triton keeper Jessica McGovern notched three saves en route to her fifth shutout of the season.
The Tritons take to the road for CCAA contests at Cal Poly Pomona and at Cal State San Bernardino this weekend. UCSD takes on the Broncos at 4:30 p.m. on Friday evening before playing CSUSB on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
