LA JOLLA, Calif. - Junior Lisa Bradley, one of the three captains on the No. 11 UC San Diego women's soccer team, scored her first goal of the 2009 season at home Friday against Cal State San Bernardino, leading the Tritons to a 1-0 victory.
The win improves UCSD's record within the California Collegiate Athletic Association to 10-3, two points behind South Division leader Cal State L.A. (10-2-2 CCAA).
Bradley's goal in the 7th minute of Friday's match managed to hold up despite the Coyotes ending up with an overall shot advantage of 12-3. On the early scoring play, Bradley sent a header to the right of the CSUSB keeper from roughly six yards out at the center of the box after a corner kick was sent in from the right by freshman defender Hayley Johnson. Bradley, a 2008 All-CCAA Second Team honoree, continues to provide a stabilizing presence on the midfield for a young UCSD squad this season.
Later in the first half Friday, the Coyotes had a chance to even the match with just under eight minutes to play before halftime. After the ball bounced around at the top of the 18, it then rattled to CSUSB sophomore Mackenzie Dill on the side. Dill lifted a hard one-timer shot toward the net but it ended up sailing over the frame.
Bradley contributed to keeping the Coyotes off the board as well, earning the Tritons a team save early in the second half when a header from CSUSB junior Jenna Sanchez seemed destined for the back of the net. With UCSD sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Armstrong shifted more toward the left of the net off a corner kick restart, Bradley headed the ball out of harm's way.
Sanchez, in desperation as Tritons' freshman forward Gabi Hernandez pushed past her defender in the 88th minute to potentially create a breakaway, took Hernandez down with a tackle and was awarded with a yellow card. UCSD failed to capitalize on the free kick and the match remained 1-0 up to the final buzzer.
Despite the 12-3 shot advantage in favor of the Coyotes, Armstrong only needed two saves to earn her fifth shutout of the season as many of the CSUSB attempts landed off target.
Up next for UCSD is Sunday's 12 p.m. match at home against Cal Poly Pomona, which will give the Tritons a chance to take first place away from CSULA in the CCAA South Division. The Broncos picked up a 2-0 road win at Cal State East Bay Friday, improving to 5-8 in the CCAA.
