SEASIDE, Calif. - The University of California San Diego men's soccer team completed a massive sweep of its first true conference road trip Sunday, blanking Cal State Monterey Bay at the Otter Sports Complex, 2-0.

Wanting four points, the Tritons came up with the full six, after Friday's come-from-behind 2-1 triumph at SF State. On Sunday, they got a goal in either half by redshirt juniors Steven Ortiz and Malek Bashti. For Ortiz, what proved to be the game-winner was in fact his first score as a Triton, having transferred in this off-season from Cal State Fullerton. And for Bashti, it was a first goal since 2014, the striker having been forced to miss the entire 2015 campaign through injury.

UC San Diego, now 9-1-2 overall and 4-1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), stretched its unbeaten streak to five straight. The Tritons, who have won three in a row, ascended into a tie for fourth in the table with Sonoma State, at 13 points apiece. CSUMB's winless skid was extended to eight as the Otters fell to 2-7-2 overall and 0-6-2 in league play. They have lost five in succession.

"It was a great road win today against a team that is much better than its record," said UC San Diego head coach Jon Pascale. "It wasn't the prettiest game, and the field conditions made it very difficult to play on, but the guys grinded it out and did what we need to do. Our bench was the difference today."

Bashti also assisted on the Triton opener, at the 41:06 mark, laying off for Ortiz, whose shot glanced off the crossbar and in. The helper was Bashti's team-best sixth, and first since Sept. 10.

Bashti's own strike came in the 69th minute, senior forward Sam Palano crossing the ball for a far-post finish as the two Northern California natives combined. Palano now sits right behind Bashti on the team sheet with five assists.

The Tritons saw the result through from there. The home side almost wrecked the shutout very late, but senior Cameron McElfresh expertly denied a half-volley effort by Alejandro Garcia in the 88th. CSUMB even hit the back of the net from the ensuing corner kick, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul.

McElfresh collected four saves to notch yet another individual clean sheet, the seventh on the year and 26th of his career. UCSD's eighth shutout lowered the team goals-against average to 0.31. The Tritons began the weekend second nationally.

Freshman Tab Heinz compiled eight stops for CSUMB. UCSD held a 24-12 shot advantage. That slate was 14-4 at the break. McElfresh had to go down to his right to save a dipping free kick off the foot of Nick Stanley in the 23rd. Moments later, sophomore Christian Cordell had his header caught by Heinz after a left-sided long throw-in from junior teammate Uly de la Cal was flicked toward the back post.

UC San Diego returns to La Jolla Sunday night and awaits one final home weekend for the regular season, hosting Cal State LA on Friday, Oct. 14, in primetime at 7 p.m., and then Cal State Dominguez Hills on Senior Day on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. Both teams were in the national poll this past week, with CSULA 13th and CSUDH 20th.

"We are looking forward to being back at home on Friday against another quality opponent," concluded Pascale, whose charges are 7-0-1 in La Jolla in 2016.

Triton Notes: The Tritons improved to 2-1-1 on the road in 2016 ... UCSD has been credited with 20-plus shots in three consecutive matches, and four times in all this year ... Starting center back Kyle Panganiban missed his sixth match through injury, with true freshman Kelvin Uribe again replacing him in the lineup.

#AllForOne

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