UCSD takes on ASU and Utah Valley at the Aztec Cup!
UCSD women's club soccer took on ASU women's club soccer at SDSU to start off their weekend of playing in the Aztec Cup. The field was slippery, but UCSD played through that inconvenience easily. UCSD had great connections and dominated possession in the first half. The defense did a great job and allowed no shots on goal. Despite this, they went into the half tied 0-0. After an inspiring halftime talk, UCSD took the field strongly again, passing around ASU players. Suhana Singh capitalized on a great ball played by Sierra Jordan-Huffman to put UCSD in the lead 1-0. The team continued to play strong and held the score at 1-0 for the remainder of the game. It was a hard-fought and well-deserved victory for UCSD women's club soccer.
The next game of the Aztec cup was against Utah Valley, UCSD’s toughest opponent yet. Battling through an intense, physical game, the Tritons were able to score a second-half goal to even the score 1-1 with Utah Valley.
The Tritons started the game strong, creating a great chance off of Erika Braun’s cross in the first minute of the game. However, Utah Valley striked first off of a shot from outside the box five minutes into the first half that slipped into the net. The Tritons responded with intensity, with Naomi Araujo and the defenders holding the backline down while Daisy Samuelson and the forwards created quality chances up top. Erika Braun and Adelka Hancova took on the outside backs on the left and right sides, repeatedly beating them. Despite the Tritons' efforts, they could not find a goal in the first half.
The game became even more physical in the second half, with multiple Tritons fouled. However, UCSD persisted and kept their composure. Midway through the half, a great through ball from center-back Allie Spong found Adelka Hancova, who used her speed to get to the ball and slot it into the side net. The Tritons kept pushing for the game-winner, with shots from Elli Sandford and Kirsten Whetstone almost hitting the back of the net. The Tritons earned plenty of freekicks towards the last 10 minutes of the game, but eventually could not find a second goal. The game ended in a 1-1 tie against Utah.
The hard work of the Tritons earned them a point in the Aztec Cup.