BOX SCORE #8 UC San Diego 2, Sonoma State 0

LA JOLLA, Calif- After a scoreless first half for both teams, eighth-ranked UC San Diego scored a quick goal to open the second half and added an insurance goal late to defeat Sonoma State, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at the Triton Soccer Field in La Jolla. With two matches remaining in the regular season, the Seawolves (8-6-2 overall) fall into a tie for first place in the CCAA North Division standings with Chico State at 8-4-2 in conference play.

The Tritons, ranked at No. 8 in last week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II Top 25 Poll, improves to 11-1-4 and 10-1-3 in the CCAA, becoming the first team to clinch a spot in the CCAA Championship Tournament in Turlock on Nov. 4-6.

UC San Diego controlled most of the match, but the first shot attempt of the afternoon came off the foot of Sonoma State's Elena Catania. It was saved, however, by netminder Kristin Armstrong. From then on, the Tritons would control possession of the ball and eventually outshot the Seawolves 7-3 in the first 45 minutes of the match. Neither team would find the net, though, and the match would remain scoreless at halftime.

In the second half, UC San Diego earned a corner kick just 2:43 after the intermission. Hayley Johnson would take the kick, placing it perfectly in the box, allowing Sarah McTigue to head the ball past SSU keeper Alexis Sciacqua and into the net for the 1-0 lead at 47:49.

The Tritons offensive pressure would remain as the hosts would outshoot the Seawolves 8-5 in the second half (and 15-8 for the match). It was UCSD's 15th shot of the match that put the nationally-ranked squad up 2-0 with just 4:51 left on the scoreboard. It started with another corner kick, but the ensuing shot attempt by Sara Spaventa was blocked by the Sonoma State defense. Courtney Capobianco then put her head to the ball on the rebound of the blocked shot and put it into the net at 85:09.

On the restart, the Seawolves went on the offensive attack and Kiley Brown was able to get a shot off just 35 seconds later, but the attempt would sail high. Sonoma State would again get an offensive chance late with a corner kick by Ashley Martin, but the header attempt by Megan Cunningham that followed the corner would also fly over the crossbar. It would be the last chance for SSU, as UCSD held on for the 2-0 shutout victory, its ninth of the season.

Catania led the Seawolf attack with four shots. Scaicqua made four saves, but allowed the two second half goals.

UCSD's McTigue fired a match-high five shots and Shelby Wong attempted three. Armstrong also made four saves between the posts.

Sonoma State will now return home for the final two games of the regular season. It will be one of the biggest, most important weekends in program history, as Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State, which are also fighting for the top spots in the CCAA North Division, will march into Rohnert Park.

On Friday for Homecoming, SSU will play host to Cal State Stanislaus (8-4-4, 7-4-3 CCAA; 24 points), which is just two points behind Sonoma State (26 points) and Chico State (26 points) in the CCAA North Division standings. Kickoff for the Seawolves and Warriors on Friday is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Seawolf Soccer Field. Then, on Sunday (Senior Day), the Seawolves will host archrival Chico State, which could become the battle for the division crown. First kick on Sunday is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.