UCSD Men Blanked at Rival Sonoma State, 3-0
ROHNERT PARK, Calif. - The UC San Diego men's soccer team dropped a 3-0 decision to Sonoma State in a key California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) match Sunday at Seawolf Soccer Field.
With the result, UCSD fell to 5-5-5 overall and 4-3-3 in the CCAA. The Tritons were an unbeaten 2-0-2 over their last four games, with a pair of ties following back-to-back victories. Sonoma State, a winner of three straight, moved to 8-4-2 overall and 4-3-1 in league play. The sides began the day alone in fifth and in a two-way tie for seventh, respectively, as the conference season begins to wind down. Sunday's meeting left the Seawolves two points back still of UCSD, but with two less games.
In the 29th minute, Sonoma State earned a penalty kick after a Triton foul in the box. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Cameron McElfresh dove to his left to save Benton Frame's initial attempt, but the referee ruled for the kick to be taken again due to an infraction. The second time around, Frame went to his left and found the netting beyond the McElfresh's reach. It was the senior forward's team-best seventh goal of 2015 and third on the weekend after hitting a brace in Friday's 3-1 win over Cal State San Marcos.
The Seawolves doubled their advantage in the 51st minute, Sean Callahan nabbed his third on the year, with assists going to Frame and Josh Sanchez.
UCSD came very close to pulling a goal back moments later in the 58th, but Nick Palano had his effort cleared off the line by a Sonoma State defender, with a subsequent header by Andy Sartor getting blocked out for a corner kick.
SSU later clinched the three points with a third score, coming from Armando Coronel getting his third at 82:04, with Callahan and Evan Filipczyk assisting.
McElfresh finished with one save for UCSD. Sophomore Mitch North had two stops for SSU to pick up his sixth clean sheet. The home side maintained a 12-8 edge in shots taken on the day.
Freshman Christian Cordell drew his first collegiate start as an outside midfielder.
The Tritons were unbeaten over their previous four meetings with the Seawolves, a 1-1 draw in Rohnert Park last Oct. 24 following three straight wins. UCSD has won just twice all-time at Sonoma State, most recently 2-0 in 2012.
UCSD returns to La Jolla for one final home game for the 2015 regular season this Wednesday, Oct. 21, welcoming in area foe and new league rival Cal State San Marcos. Kickoff at Triton Soccer Stadium is set for 4:30 p.m.
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