LA JOLLA, Calif. - True freshman Megumi Barber (San Diego/Mt. Carmel HS) produced her first collegiate goal in the 76th minute to lift UC San Diego to a 2-1 win over rival Cal State L.A. in non-conference women's soccer action on Monday evening at Triton Soccer Stadium.

Another local product and true freshman, Mary Reilly (Chula Vista/Hilltop HS), had opened the scoring for the Tritons, grabbing her second of the year just 3:21 into the contest. Danielle Telles equalized for the Golden Eagles in the ninth minute.

With the victory, UCSD improved to 4-1. Cal State L.A., still ranked 14th nationally until Tuesday's new poll, remained winless at 0-3-1.

Monday's matchup marked the second straight year in which the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) foes met in a non-conference affair. The Golden Eagles are the league’s reigning regular-season and tournament champions, as well as the preseason favorites.

Kelcie Brodsky made four saves in goal for UCSD. Redshirt freshman Adriana Maldonado had eight stops for CSULA.

The game was barely three minutes old when junior Jamie Benedetto pushed a magnificent through ball up the middle in front of an in-stride Reilly, who took a deft right-footed touch around the charging Maldonado, and only needed a left-footed tap-in toward the empty net for a 1-0 lead. It was Benedetto's first assist since 2013.

CSULA levelled rather suddenly as Telles accepted a pass from Veronika Steen and put her shot high and to the right of Brodsky at 8:38. Telles, a junior defender, now has both Golden Eagle goals this season.

The second half then made for some very entertaining soccer, with both sides manufacturing a number of scoring opportunities. It started with Reilly in the 61st, as her left-footed effort was saved nicely by Maldonado diving to her left. Seconds later, Steen hit the crossbar from the right diagonal with the inside of her left foot.

With under 15 minutes left to play in regulation, UCSD found its decider. Sophomore Jordyn McNutt (San Diego/University City HS) took several dribbles from her position on the right wing into the center of the park, before passing out wide to the left. Another freshman, Summer Bales, then steadied the ball and crossed in from her left flank, with Barber providing the near-post run and flick with the inside of her right foot into the right side of the net. The assist was the first of Bales' career, and the first of the season for McNutt, who led the team with seven helpers in 2014.

From there, the Tritons had a couple of chances to gain some insurance. Reilly's right-footed shot at 77:40 was grabbed by Maldonado, and fellow freshman Danielle Nunn's attempt from distance in the 81st glanced off the top of the crossbar and went over for a goal kick. Finally, and closest, came Nunn again with a header this time, in the 84th, as she nodded a whipped-in cross from Bales on target, only for Maldonado to make another incredible diving stop to her left.

UCSD out-shot CSULA on the evening, 20-13, with a match-high six from Reilly.

UCSD still has one non-conference date left, but it is not until the very end of the regular season, on Oct. 30. The Tritons now finally look toward the CCAA portion of their schedule, hosting Cal Poly Pomona in their league opener this Friday, Sept. 18, and Cal State San Bernardino on Sunday, Sept. 20. Kickoff for both contests at Triton Soccer Stadium is set for 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

#TritonsRising

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