No. 7 UCSD Women Win Eighth Straight, 1-0

October 7, 2017

LA JOLLA, Calif. - The No. 7 University of California San Diego women's soccer team looked dominant over large stretches and managed a single goal early in the second half by senior Elisa Martinez (El Cajon/Francis Parker School), to handle San Francisco State, 1-0, in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) contest on Senior Night Friday at Triton Soccer Stadium.

With an eighth straight victory, UC San Diego improves to 11-2 overall and a still-perfect 8-0 in the CCAA. The Tritons swept their season-long four-game homestand, all by the final score of 1-0, and have posted five shutouts in a row during this streak. They have now opened up a nine-point cushion atop the standings ahead of Sonoma State, 24-15. SF State dropped to 7-3-1 overall and 2-2-1 in league play.

Martinez tallied her first goal of the season from the penalty spot at the 48:09 mark. Junior striker Mary Reilly (Chula Vista/Hilltop HS) took a shot from relatively straight on, and it was cut down by an opponent. The match official deemed it a hand ball and pointed to the spot. It looked to have been sophomore defender Kelsie Bozart who contacted the ball with her hand. Martinez hit a hard right-foot shot in the upper right corner for the score.

Fourth-year senior Taylor Ramos (San Diego/Coronado HS), earning her first start of the season in central midfield, nearly opened the scoring sooner, in the 11th minute, cracking an incredible right-footer from 25 yards out that seemed destined to loop over the Gator goalie and into the left side of the net. It didn't dip quite enough, however, narrowly banging off the crossbar.

In the 16th, Martinez produced a dazzling run down the right flank before crossing in toward the middle, but senior All-American striker Katie O'Laughlin (Carlsbad/Pacific Ridge School) just couldn't wrap her right foot around it, going well wide with her effort.

The 23rd minute saw SF State come close to grabbing the lead. Reigning CCAA Player of the Week Tami Kwong, a freshman forward, shot right-footed from the right diagonal, and senior right back Aimee Ellis was well-placed to clear it. Though it was difficult to tell if the attempt was on target, a team save was credited.

Redshirt sophomore UCSD goalkeeper Angelica Ramos finished with four saves for her ninth individual clean sheet, fifth in a row, and seventh in eight games. Senior Christina Holguin had seven stops on the other end.

The Tritons held a 25-11 advantage in shots, including 14-2 during the first half. They took seven corner kicks without allowing the Gators any.

Seven seniors were honored prior to kickoff, in Martinez, Ramos, Brie Diaz, Aimee Ellis, and tri-captains O'Laughlin, Makenzie Brito, Jordyn McNutt (San Diego/University City HS). Brito and McNutt were unable to play due to injury.

UC San Diego hits the road for what is left of its regular season, a five-match stretch in all, beginning in Arcata against Humboldt State on Friday, Oct. 13, at 12:30 p.m.

Triton Notes: The Tritons have won 22 consecutive CCAA contests and 28 in a row against CCAA opposition in all competitions (CCAA Tournament and non-conference), since a 1-0 loss at Sonoma State on Oct. 18, 2015 ... UCSD has held a 69-6 scoring advantage in those 28 games, and trailed in just one ... The Tritons have allowed just one goal during this current eight-game win streak, and that was an own goal at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sept. 22 ... UCSD is a perfect 9-0 at home in 2017 ... UCSD head coach Brian McManus is now just five wins shy of 500 for his legendary career ... Angelica Ramos and UCSD's shutout streak has stretched to five-plus games and 500:25 ... True freshman Abby Ross drew her first college start on the right side of midfield, and senior central midfielder Taylor Ramos her first start of 2017 and first since Sept. 6, 2016 ... Fourth-year senior winger Jordyn McNutt had her streak of 67 consecutive games played ended, as she had left Wednesday's match against Cal State San Marcos late in the first half due to injury ... The goal by Elisa Martinez was her fourth as a Triton and second winner ... UCSD eclipsed the 20-shot mark for the fifth time in 2017, matching its season high of 25.

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