BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UC San Diego defeated CSU Bakersfield, 3-1, improving to 10-3-5 overall and 6-1-3 in Big West play. The Tritons scored twice in the opening nine minutes before adding a second-half goal to secure the road victory. The win clinched UC San Diego's spot in the Big West Championship for the first time in Division I program history, earning the Tritons the opportunity to host a championship match for the first time.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as Nguyen opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a right-footed strike to the bottom left corner.
UC San Diego doubled its lead just over five minutes later when Oca finished a right-footed shot from the edge of the box in the ninth minute.
Ava Tibor and
Olivia Shih assisted on the goal, giving the Tritons a 2-0 advantage.
CSU Bakersfield responded in the 13th minute, converting a penalty kick to cut the deficit to 2-1. UC San Diego continued to control possession and generate chances throughout the remainder of the half.
Karize Madero, Tibor, and Shih each recorded attempts before the Tritons pushed forward again late in the period.
Lana Gilligan,
Molly Blom, and
Kiki Vostermans contributed shots, with Vostermans forcing saves in the 37th and 45th minutes. The Tritons carried a 2-1 lead into halftime.
UC San Diego maintained its attacking pressure after the break, recording five shots and a corner kick during a stretch from the 48th to the 58th minute. Vostermans, Gilligan, and Shih helped create opportunities as the Tritons looked to extend their advantage.
Charlotte Wilfert made a save in the 61st minute before Shih forced a save at the other end shortly afterward.
Nguyen delivered the decisive goal in the 66th minute, finishing a lob over the top from
Leilah Raad with a low strike to complete her brace and extend the Tritons' lead to 3-1. UC San Diego continued to create chances down the stretch, with Gilligan forcing another save, Vostermans recording three additional shots, and the Tritons earning two late corner kicks.
The Tritons closed out the 3-1 victory while limiting the Roadrunners to just three total shots. UC San Diego finished with a commanding 22-3 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. Nguyen led the way with two goals on three shots, while Vostermans recorded a team-high five attempts.
TRITON TIDBITS
- The Tritons improved to 10-3-5 overall and 6-1-3 in Big West play, clinching a spot in the Big West Championship for the first time in Division I program history.
- UC San Diego will host a Big West Championship match for the first time in program history.
- The Tritons dominated the shot totals, finishing with a 22-3 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in shots on goal.
- Alexis Nguyen recorded her third and fourth goals of the season, securing her first brace of the year.
- Natalie Oca scored her fourth goal of the season, finishing a first-half opportunity off assists from Ava Tibor and Olivia Shih.
- UC San Diego extended its Division I single-season scoring record to 26 goals.
- The Tritons' third consecutive victory marks the longest winning streak in program history at the Division I level.
- The Tritons improved to 10-2-4 all-time against CSU Bakersfield.
QUOTEABLE
"We did what we needed to do to win. This is a tough place to come and play, and after such an emotional week last week, I'm just really proud of the girls. They came in focused and determined, and I think getting off on the front foot and getting the early goals really settled us in. It was a pretty dominant performance. We created a lot of good opportunities, and I'm really proud of the group for showing up and being consistent again in another game. The moment doesn't really feel too big for us. I think we're ready to go for playoffs. Clinching third at a minimum is a testament to all the hard work this group has put in all year, and I think it'll be exciting for our program and for the department to host a women's soccer playoff game next week," said UC San Diego head coach
Kristin Jones '04.
UP NEXT
The Tritons return home for their regular-season finale against UC Irvine on Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m. at Triton Soccer Stadium. UC San Diego will celebrate Senior Day as it closes out the regular season before its first-ever Big West Championship appearance.
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 inÂ
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.comÂ
or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
Â
Â
Â
