Game #1

UCSD Endures the Physical Contact from UC Berkeley and Wins the First Game of the Tournament!

Good morning UCSD Women’s Club Soccer team! It’s 5:45 a.m. and we were all awake on this beautiful Saturday morning, birds chirping and the sunrise peeking through the cool mountains. Despite the early rise we were ready for battle. With an interesting warm-up and miscommunications with times and teams we started our game against UC Berkeley confidently. With 24 people at our Santa Barbara tournament we were able to give it everything we got when we were on the field! Eleyna Osterman juked out a few players and headed towards the goal at full speed. Although she only had an angle from her left foot, Eleyna was able to get a chip over the goalie's hands and right into the back of the net, no problem! We ended the first half with the win! Berkeley got lucky when a yellow or red card wasn’t pulled on them for kicking our beloved Naomi in the chest, but that only made Naomi Araujo fiercer and worked her hardest to create great opportunities for us! We were eager for another goal, trying to connect passes and a little frantic in the end. Berkeley was eager for a tie, shooting on our goalies but nothing could get past Allison Lee and Dahlia Scher’s great technique. We ended our game with a 1-0 win for UCSD. For our first game together as a team this season it was an amazing accomplishment, we were ready for the tournament and games ahead!

Game #2

Tritons Work on their Strategy After a Loss to Colorado State

The UC Women's Club Soccer Team took on Colorado State at the UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, 10/09. Coming from the previous win that morning against UC Berkeley, the girls were feeling strong and ready to step out onto the pitch. Although the game resulted in a disappointing 0-1 loss, it was a high intensity battle throughout the entire game. The Tritons made some great passing connections and the defense adjusted very well to the high press of Colorado's offense. As a very new team, UCSD is working on their positioning, strategies, all while getting to know each other on and off the field. Captain Reese Flinn demonstrated her high soccer IQ after tracking back on defense and blocking a dangerous shot on goal. This determination and effort was carried out by the rest of the team as well. Colorado State scored from a longer shot that hit the top bar and struck down on the goal line that the Tritons were not able to bounce back from. The tritons had good looks opportunities in the attacking third but were not able to put them away. UCSD took this game as a learning experience and look forward to games this coming weekend, applying what they know now. 

Game #3 

UCSD Tritons take on the Cal Poly Mustangs in the Quarter Finals Game

With an 8pm kickoff, under the lights, the UC San Diego Tritons (no. 5) took on the Cal Poly Mustangs (no. 4) in the quarterfinals of the UC Santa Barbara Women’s Club Soccer Invitational. The Tritons knew that the game would be a challenge with the Mustang’s physical and technical skills. In addition, the Tritons had played two games prior and their legs were heavy. Nevertheless, when the whistle blew the Tritons came out hard.

Early breakways from speedy freshman forward Sierra Jorden-Huffman and co-captain Reese Flinn set Cal Poly on their heels. As time went on, Cal Poly started to dominate possession while the Tritons were forced to lock into a tight defensive unit. Clearances and tackles from standout center backs, Ally Spong and Kinsey Brillheart, held off the Mustangs until the 20th minute when they scored two consecutive goals. In both cases, keeper Allison Lee made outstanding saves but the Tritons weren’t quick enough to get to the rebounds and the Mustangs capitalized. 

The Tritons continued to battle and apply constant pressure in the second half. Their 24 player roster provided variating depth and fresh legs. Each player was able to leave it all out on the field every minute they were out there. However, the Triton’s efforts weren’t enough and in the second half the Mustangs scored off of an unfortunate header clearance and then scored again from a shot just outside the 18. With the 4-0 loss the Tritons were knocked out of their bracket. Overall, the game, and tournament, provided the Triton’s with insight on what they will need to hone and perfect before their first league game next weekend against hometown rival San Diego State on October 16th.