LA JOLLA, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton scored in the 45th minute and the goal held up as the visiting Titans earned a one-nil win over host UC San Diego at Triton Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon, spoiling the Tritons' senior day.
With two matches remaining, UC San Diego is 5-9-2 overall and 3-4-1 in Big West play. Cal State Fullerton improves to 8-9 overall and 5-3 in the Big West.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first half, the Tritons had several quality scoring chances but were unable to score. In the 18th minute,
Sophia Bruno had two shots on goal, but both were saved by Cal State Fullerton goalkeeper Noa Schumacher. UC San Diego senior
Caitlin McCarthy also had a pair of shots on goal in the first half, and
Kennedy Carter and
Katelyn Meyer each had one – but Schumacher stayed up to the task. All told, the Titans' keeper made six first half saves.
It wasn't just Fullerton playing tough defense. In the 42', the Titans earned a free kick from inside the box. UC San Diego's defensive wall held strong, keeping the match scoreless.
With just 27 seconds left in the half, the Titans scored on a UC San Diego own goal to take a one-nil lead into halftime. UC San Diego held a 9-5 edge in shots, and the Tritons had five corner kicks to three for Cal State Fullerton.
In the second half, Cal State Fullerton spread the match out and slowed down the pace of play. Neither team was able to score, and the one-nil result held.
UC San Diego goalkeeper
Keara Fitzgerald made a pair of saves – both in the first half.
QUOTABLE
"We had some clear-cut chances in the first half, and we've got to put one of those away," said UC San Diego head coach Kristin Jones. "We had the momentum in the first half and it's a shame we didn't put one of those chances away. The late [first half] goal deflated us and allowed them to play a different style which didn't suit us."
"They mean a tremendous amount to me personally but the memories they have at UCSD are some of their fondest," Jones said about her departing class. "One of their best accomplishments – beyond all the trophies and all the winning they've done – is this year and how much they've helped the program's transition to Division I. I don't remember life prior to them and we're going to miss them immensely."
TRITON TIDBITS
- Sunday was senior day in La Jolla. Prior to the match, UC San Diego honored Michelle Baddour, Kameryn Hoban Caitlin McCarthy, Maddy Samilo, Delaney Whittet, and Natalie Widmer – all of whom played their final home match as a Triton.
- Hoban made her fifth start of the season – all of which have come in October.
- The Tritons out-shot Cal State Fullerton, 15 to 8.
- At halftime, UC San Diego recognized long time women's soccer head coach Brian McManus, who will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame next month.
- Prior to Sunday, the two teams had not met since 1994 – when UC San Diego was in Division III.
- The Tritons conclude their home slate with a 2-4-2 record in La Jolla.
UP NEXT
UC San Diego wraps up its 2021 season on the road next week. The Tritons will play their final two Big West matches at UC Davis (Thursday) and at Hawai'i (Sunday).
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.
