LA JOLLA, Calif. — UC San Diego defeated Long Beach State, 2-1, Wednesday at Triton Soccer Stadium, improving to 8-3-5 overall and 4-1-3 in Big West play. The Tritons scored twice in the second half to erase a 1-0 deficit, with
Olivia Shih equalizing in the 62nd minute before
Lana Gilligan scored the game-winner in the 79th.
Charlotte Wilfert played all 90 minutes in goal and made four saves as UC San Diego secured the victory despite being outshot 15-7.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Long Beach State applied early pressure, with Wilfert making a save in the 10th minute before the Tritons recorded a team save during a sequence that included multiple shots and corner kicks. UC San Diego responded with attacking opportunities of its own, as
Ava Tibor put a shot on goal in the 19th minute,
Alexis Nguyen sent an attempt high in the 22nd and
Kiki Vostermans shot wide in the 34th minute.
Wilfert made additional saves in the closing stages of the first half, but Long Beach State broke through in the 42nd minute to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Tritons responded after the break, finding the equalizer in the 62nd minute. Shih scored off assists from
Natalie Oca and
Leilah Raad to level the match at 1-1.
UC San Diego continued to push forward in search of the go-ahead goal, with Vostermans attempting a shot in the 68th minute before
Kennadi Borg forced a save in the 78th. The Tritons broke through moments later, as Gilligan finished a pass from Vostermans in the 79th minute to give UC San Diego a 2-1 advantage.
Long Beach State continued to threaten in the closing minutes, but Wilfert recorded a save in the 82nd minute and the Tritons added a team save in the 89th to preserve the lead and secure the 2-1 victory.
TRITON TIDBITS
- The Tritons scored both goals in the second half, overcoming a 1-0 halftime deficit.
- UC San Diego defeated Long Beach State for the first time in program history.
- Olivia Shih scored her fourth goal of the season, equalizing in the 62nd minute.
- Lana Gilligan recorded her third goal of the season, scoring the game-winner in the 79th minute.
- The Tritons are one goal away from tying the UC San Diego Division I single-season record for goals.
QUOTEABLE
UP NEXT
The Tritons continue Big West play on the road at Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, October 24, at 4 p.m. in Fullerton, Calif.
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 has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-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 39 have garnered 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 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
