LA JOLLA, Calif. - In an effort to gain a respite from the unseasonably warm weather around San Diego on Saturday, 684 spectators filed into Triton Soccer Stadium for its coastal, relatively cooler evening climate underneath the lights.

Unfortunately for the Triton faithful, there was not very much to cheer about on this night as the UC San Diego women dropped a 2-0 decision to California Baptist University.

Both teams saw their overall record move to an even 2-2. It was the first match-up between the sides since a 3-0 Triton victory in La Jolla in 2000, during the Tritons’ first season in the NCAA Division II. The Lancers officially became Division II members a year ago and subsequently made their first NCAA postseason appearance.

The 2-0 result meant CBU’s first-ever win over UCSD following 10 losses in 10 previous meetings in the all-time series.

The match also marked the second segment of a curious three-match stretch for UCSD in which it is taking on the top three teams, in order, in the Pacific West Conference’s preseason coaches’ poll. The Tritons rallied to knock off defending PacWest champion and league favorite Azusa Pacific in double overtime on Thursday, 2-1. They next travel to face crosstown foe Point Loma on Tuesday.

The Lancers’ opener came in somewhat-stunning fashion as junior midfielder Lauren Walling took a short pass from senior defender Samantha Myers toward the left flank and cracked a sudden, yet very effective right-footed blast from about 25 yards out that eluded the jumping reach of UCSD goalkeeper Kelcie Brodsky and sailed into the upper left corner at 16:16.

With UCSD pressing for an equalizer, CBU added the insurance score in the 69th minute on a breakaway as Justine Kesterson threaded a through ball straight up the middle of the field which fellow sophomore Rachel Witz ran onto and guided into the lower right corner. Like Walling's, it was the first goal on the year for Witz.

Brodsky finished with three saves for UCSD. CBU freshman Sara Escobedo, a teammate of the Tritons’ freshman winger Jordyn McNutt at nearby University City High School, stopped five shots to notch her second career individual shutout.

CBU held a narrow 13-12 edge in shots taken in the contest. Senior All-American Cassie Callahan(Coronado/Coronado HS) led the Tritons with three attempts.

UCSD’s date with Point Loma is set to kick off at 4:30 p.m. at PLNU Soccer Field this Tuesday. The Sea Lions were picked to finish third in the PacWest in 2014.

#TritonsRising

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