Tritons Kick Off the Season with Shutout over Redlands

 

 

UC San Diego came out strong in their first game of the season against the University of Redlands.  The game was played in terrible conditions, with intermittent rain and wind pounding both teams to near hypothermia. A few minutes into the first half, center defender and Captain Mallorie Nguyen scored a header off an excellent cross from senior outside midfielder Lauren Taiclet. Soon after, center midfielders Amanda Hong and Abby Chin combined passes in the offensive half that resulted in a long-range goal from Chin. As the rain tapered off, the Tritons continued to pass the ball around the Redlands players with ease. The Tritons continued their scoring streak with a powerful finish by senior defender Toni Hedding, who ripped the ball into the net off a cross from junior midfielder Alaina Bujtor.

The second half opened auspiciously, with the sun breaking through the dark clouds that had been overhead throughout the game. The Tritons kept the ball out of Redland possession, and after several passing sequences Bujtor went on to score the fourth and final goal off a corner kick from the freshman defender, Anais Ortiz. Redlands failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities, and the game ended in a 4-0 shutout.