LA JOLLA, Calif. - Zachary Lagotta’s left-footed blast from the left diagonal in the 75th minute sent UC San Diego on its way to a 2-1 defeat of Dixie State University in non-conference men’s soccer action Thursday night at Triton Soccer Stadium.

UCSD moved to 3-1 while Dixie State fell to 0-1-1 following the first-ever meeting between the programs.

The play that set up the winner began on the right side of the field asMalek Bashti threaded it through to senior Brandon Bauman. Lagotta, a San Diego product out of Cathedral Catholic High School, ran onto Bauman’s pass and made no mistake with his shot attempt, marking his first collegiate goal.

Redshirt sophomore center back Kuba Waligorski put UCSD on the board in the 20th minute, providing a deft back-heeled flick with his left foot off of a right-sided Gerrit van Zyll corner kick and finding the net for his first goal as a Triton.

Dixie State equalized within two minutes, as Jorge Echavarria’s blocked shot landed in front of substitute Michael Gray, who hit a powerful right-footed shot into the upper right corner.

Junior Cameron McElfresh made one save in goal for the Tritons. Reigning PacWest Defender of the Week Spencer Anderson finished with seven stops for the Red Storm. UCSD was credited with 18 shots, to 11 by the visitors.

The Tritons extended their streak of games in which they have allowed no more than one goal now to 30, but also surrendered a single score for the ninth straight match without a shutout dating back to late in the 2013 campaign.

Redshirt sophomore Brett Sampiere (Solana Beach/Torrey Pines HS) returned to the Triton lineup at right back after having to miss the first three matches. The starts were the first of the season for van Zyll and junior transferRenato Sanchez.

A season-long four-match homestand resumes Sunday night for UCSD against local rival and future conference foe Cal State San Marcos. Kickoff at Triton Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m. The Cougars, who will join the California Collegiate Athletic Association schedule in 2015, enter a Friday home match at an undefeated 4-0.

#TritonsRising

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