LOS ANGELES - Nick Palano scored his first of the season at the 87:01 mark as UC San Diego snatched a critical 1-0 victory against Cal State L.A. in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) men's soccer action Sunday at Jesse Owens Track.

With the huge road result, UCSD improved to 4-4-3 overall and 3-2-1 in the CCAA. The Tritons were coming off of back-to-back losses, for the first time since 2012, and earned their first road win of 2015, now at 1-3-2 away from La Jolla. CSULA, the reigning West Region champion who came into the match as the joint league leader, fell to 6-2-1 overall and 4-2 in league play. The Golden Eagles had won their previous three home matches this season, all in shutout fashion.

With the contest appearing to be headed toward overtime, sophomore winger Zachary Lagotta (San Diego/Cathedral Catholic HS) put a dangerous cross into the penalty area that Palano shot into the back of the net for his second career score. It was his first game-winner, with Lagotta's assist his second on the season.

"That was just a great goal by Nick Palano," said UCSD head coach Jon Pascale. "Zach (Lagotta) put a deep cross to the far post, and Nick hit a first-time volley out of the air back across the goal. It was a difficult shot, but he had great technique and did everything right."

The hosts still managed a worrying corner kick with the final seconds ticking away, but nothing came of Herbert Biste's effort.

"Going back to last Sunday's game (a 2-1 home loss to Stanislaus State), we've been dealt a couple of tough blows, and it was great the see the team respond and react and make a great play late on the road," added Pascale.

"It was pouring rain most of the first half, and with their narrow field, it was a grind-it-out game all the way. I thought we battled them well throughout. We didn't give them any great opportunities, and used a lot of our bench guys. It was a total team effort. If you can win at (Cal State) L.A., you can win anywhere."

Cameron McElfresh made one save in goal for UCSD to register his fifth individual shutout of 2015 and first on the road. The redshirt junior now has 17 clean sheets for his career. Anthony Perez had three stops for the Golden Eagles.

UCSD was out-shot over the first 45 minutes, 6-3, but generated the only attempt on target, as Perez snatched junior forward Sam Palano's header in the fourth minute. Palano, who missed five games through injury before returning to action a week ago on Sept. 27, was back in the starting 11 for the first time since Sept. 8.

CSULA held the advantage in shots at the final whistle, 12-8.

Freshman Andy Sartor drew his first career start at a forward spot alongside Palano, while sophomore Eric Youngearned his first starting assignment of 2015.

The Tritons have now won back-to-back 1-0 decisions against the Golden Eagles on their home field in Los Angeles.

UCSD is back in home action in the week ahead, hosting Cal State Monterey Bay in primetime on Friday, Oct. 9. Kickoff at Triton Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

#TritonsRising

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