UC San Diego

ST. GEORGE, Utah — UC San Diego men's soccer got back in the win column on Sunday night with a 2-0 victory at Utah Tech.
 
The Tritons got goals from Keenai Braun and Ryan Namdar to improve to 5-1-0 on the season. Sunday's match was the Tritons' first since their perfect record to start the season was snapped in a 1-0 loss at UNLV on Thursday.
 
UC San Diego dominated the stat sheet, taking 15 shots with seven on target. Utah Tech only registered five total shots, with Triton goalkeeper Nic Thiele only needing to make one save to earn the clean sheet. The Tritons also had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons put the pressure on early as Gavin Allegaert had a shot on goal in the 7th minute. Matias Mott also forced a save in the 29th minute.
 
Utah Tech's best scoring chance came in the 21st minute off a shot that hit the crossbar.
 
UC San Diego eventually broke through with only two seconds left in the first half. Owen Helm assisted Braun's goal, who was up in the attack to contribute to a last-second push.
 
The Tritons then dominated the second half, holding a 9-2 edge in shots. Adam Dunbar, Jack Nishimoto and Namdar all forced the Trailblazer goalkeeper into making a save within the first 20 minutes after halftime.
 
Namdar's insurance goal came in the 60th minute on a solo effort.
 
Utah Tech tried to rally after the goal, but the Triton defense only allowed one shot for the rest of the match. Thiele saved that effort in the 70th minute.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• The Tritons made one change to the starting lineup from Thursday as Mott replaced Lalo Barbieri at left back, marking Mott's first collegiate start.
• Braun's goal was the second of the senior center back's career.
• Helm registered his first collegiate point with the assist to Braun.
• Namdar's third goal of the season sees him move into a tie with Oren Stuppel as the Tritons' leading scorer.
• The Tritons' five clean sheets this season are tied with the 2022 team for the most in the program's Division I era. 

QUOTABLE
"Tonight was a great win on the road," head coach Jon Pascale said. "Our depth was the difference. We were able to play a lot of players, and they all contributed. Our first half was not our best, but we were in complete control in the second half. We are excited to get home and get ready for UC Irvine."
 
UP NEXT
The Tritons start a three-match homestand next Sunday, Sept. 20, when they welcome UC Irvine to Triton Soccer Stadium. The match begins at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+, with free hats handed out to the first 150 fans in attendance. Tickets are available through Triton Box Office.
 
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.