LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego scored four goals, including two from first-time collegiate scorers, as the Tritons defeated visiting Utah Tech, 4-2, Saturday afternoon at Triton Soccer Stadium. The four goals marked UC San Diego's most in a match since Aug. 17, 2023, at Pacific, and the most in a home match during the Tritons' NCAA Division I era.
UC San Diego improved to 1-1-0 with the victory while Utah Tech moved to 0-1-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC San Diego's defense set the tone early, with redshirt freshman goalkeeper
Charlotte Wilfert making a key save in the eighth minute on a shot from Jocelyn Wright.
The Tritons broke through in the 18th minute when freshman
Olivia Shih found the back of the net for her first collegiate goal, giving UC San Diego an early 1-0 advantage.
UC San Diego doubled its lead just before halftime when senior
Lana Gilligan converted a penalty kick in the 41st minute. The goal marked the second of Gilligan's career and gave the Tritons a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
The penalty kick was UC San Diego's second of the match, marking the first time the Tritons had been awarded two penalty kicks in a match since 2016.
The Tritons continued their offensive attack in the second half. In the 61st minute,
Ava Tibor found the net off an assist from
Kat Harris to extend the UC San Diego lead to 3-0. The goal was the seventh of Tibor's career and ultimately proved to be the game-winner.
Regan Ramirez added another goal in the 72nd minute, scoring the first goal of her collegiate career to put the Tritons ahead, 4-0.
Utah Tech responded with two goals cutting the deficit to 4-2.
The Trailblazers continued to pressure late, but the Tritons held firm to secure the victory.
UC San Diego finished with a 17-11 advantage in shots and put seven attempts on target.
TRITON TIDBITS
- Olivia Shih scored the first goal of her collegiate career.
- Lana Gilligan's penalty kick marked the second goal of her career.
- Ava Tibor scored the seventh goal of her career and her goal served as the game-winner.
- Regan Ramirez scored the first goal of her collegiate career.
- The Tritons were awarded two penalty kicks in a match for the first time since 2016.
- UC San Diego's four goals were its most in a match since Aug. 17, 2023, at Pacific.
- The four-goal performance was the most in a home match during UC San Diego's NCAA Division I era.
QUOTABLE
UP NEXT
The Tritons hit the road Thursday, Aug. 20, traveling to Las Vegas, Nev., to take on UNLV at 5:30 p.m. PT.
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.
