ARCATA, Calif. - UC San Diego got a second second-half game-winning goal from senior co-captain Izzy Pozurama in as many matches to down Humboldt State University, 1-0, in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women’s soccer contest Sunday at College Creek Field.

In rounding out its 2014 road schedule with a fourth straight away from home, UCSD improved to 8-5-3 overall and 5-3-2 in the CCAA. Humboldt State fell to 6-10 overall and 1-9 in league play. The Jacks have now lost their last nine, including eight in a row in shutout fashion, with HSU scoreless over its last 763:49 of soccer.

The Tritons completed this road swing at 3-0-1, with three 1-0 triumphs and a scoreless draw at SF State a week ago on Oct. 19. They did not concede a goal during those four matches, playing shutout soccer for a total of 380 minutes. Since facing a 3-0 halftime deficit in what turned out to be a 4-2 loss at home to then-seventh-ranked Cal State Stanislaus on Oct. 10, UCSD has outscored opponents, 10-2, to resurrect its 2014 campaign.

With Sunday’s result, the Tritons maintain control of their own postseason fate, holding onto their one-point advantage in sole possession of sixth place in the 12-team CCAA standings, over defending league champion Stanislaus. The Warriors were up 2-0 at home over Cal State Dominguez Hills Sunday afternoon when Pozurama struck. The Tritons are at 17 points, with CSUS right behind at 16, and the top six teams in the final table qualifying for the 2014 CCAA Championship. A win for UCSD in its regular-season finale at Triton Soccer Stadium this Thursday, Oct. 30, would clinch a return to the conference tournament following a one-year absensce.

The all-important goal came at the 56:12 mark for UCSD. As has been the case for much of the season, it was talented local freshman Jordyn McNutt (San Diego/University City HS) providing the feed, again this time from her position on the right wing. Pozurama collected in the center of the park and fired her shot from close to 20 yards into the back of the net. It was a second goal in as many matches this weekend for the fifth-year Triton, and her team-best fifth for 2014. McNutt’s assist give her eight to also pace UCSD.

Pozurama had scored the lone goal in the 83rd minute of another 1-0 triumph two days earlier on Friday at No. 15 Sonoma State. Four of her five goals this year have decided games.

“Izzy’s been threatening to score for weeks, and it came together for her this weekend,” remarked UCSD head coach Brian McManus. “She had a number of good chances at San Francisco State last week, but nothing would fall. This was a tremendous goal today. She took it off her chest and never let it hit the ground. She caught a half volley and the keeper never moved.

“For forwards, it’s kind of like that. You can go weeks without a goal, but when you start scoring, sometimes you can’t stop. I hope it’s like that for her and she can continue this for another few weeks.”

There was still time at 87:35 for Triton goalie Kelcie Brodsky to make what may very well have been a season-extending save, as Lizzie Mitchell unleashed from long distance, with the UCSD junior jumping up to barely tip the dipping shot over her crossbar for a corner kick.

The Tritons had a great chance to get on the scoreboard in the 10th minute, when freshman right back Aimee Ellis put a flashing header to McNutt’s right-sided corner kick at the near post. HSU’s Erica McMullen was perfectly situated at the far post, however, to clear the shot off of the goal line.

Moments later, the Jacks produced a fine attack down the right flank and put a strong cross into the 18-yard box, but Maddi Null’s shot from around the penalty spot went over the frame.

The Tritons’ redshirt sophomore forward, Kiera Bocchino, was denied on three separate occasions over the first 45 minutes by HSU goalkeeper Amber Woolcock. McNutt also was turned away by Woolcock, in the 30th, and took all four UCSD corner kicks of the opening period.

“We weren’t very good in the first half, and I thought we looked a bit leg heavy from Friday night,” said McManus. “We used five subs late in the first half, dropped Cassie (Callahan) back to stopper to give her a little rest, and I think it helped us in the second half.”

Humboldt State opened up the second half with two shots on goal over the first four minutes, with Brodsky saving attempts by Mitchell and Colette Behen.

Looking for an insurance score in the 85th minute, Bocchino cut in toward the middle near the left end line, only to come up against Woolcock for a fourth time on the afternoon.

Brodsky wound up with four saves, while Woolcock had seven. UCSD outshot HSU, 15-10.

Thursday night’s hugely-important primetime finale for UCSD against rival Cal State Dominguez Hills is slated for an approximate start time of 7 p.m. Four Tritons will be recognized prior to kickoff on Senior Night at Triton Soccer Stadium. That foursome is Pozurama, Cassie Callahan (Coronado/Coronado HS), Kylie Hill and Kiley Leshin.

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