UCSD Women Rally to Edge Concordia in OT

September 5, 2015

LA JOLLA, Calif. - UC San Diego got a 30-yard stunner from Kiera Bocchino and a poked winner from Jordyn McNutt with 47 seconds left in the first overtime period to post a come-from-behind, 2-1 triumph over visiting Concordia University Irvine in both sides' 2015 season opener Thursday night at Triton Soccer Stadium.

The Tritons (1-0) trailed after a 53rd-minute goal from the Eagles (0-1), as Kendall Reekstin headed home a right-sided Natalie Werner free kick from around the penalty spot into the middle of the goal.

UCSD's equalizer was an immediate and early goal-of-the-year candidate. Kelcie Brodsky's goalie punt took once bounce before Danielle Nunn nodded it forward. Bocchino, a redshirt junior and first-time co-captain in 2015, gathered while taking two touches from left to right, and unleashed a right-footed cracker from what could even have been more like 35 yards away. The ball found the upper right corner, and it was 1-1 at 67:08.

The Tritons had a great chance to win it in regulation, as Bocchino's cross from the right was met by true freshman striker Mary Reilly (Chula Vista/Hilltop HS), but her close-range shot was saved nicely by Concordia goalie Jazmin Alvarez at 86:05.

It was the Eagles then who almost stole it earlier in the first overtime. Brianna Meyer found some space moving toward the left diagonal, and let loose a wicked effort that smacked off the crossbar above Brodsky's reach.

Just past three minutes later, the contest was over. A big scrum around the left post featured multiple shots that were blocked by Concordia players, but not fully cleared. The play started with a corner kick from the left by Bocchino. Alvarez appeared to parry it directly at the near post. McNutt, a sophomore San Diego native out of University City High School who led the Tritons in total points as a true freshman in 2014, produced a turnaround right-footed effort that was cleared off the line by an Eagle. The ball bounced back out toward Reilly, whose follow-up attempt was saved by Alvarez. McNutt was first to that rebound, and nudged her shot across the goal line while falling to the ground for her first of the new season.

Brodsky finished with four saves, while Alvarez totaled 12. UCSD led in shots, 27-12.

The Tritons had two newcomers in the starting lineup in Reilly up top and fellow true freshman Louisa Alstot at left back. Six others also made their debuts in a UCSD uniform off the bench in sophomores Brie Diaz and Elisa Martinez (El Cajon/Francis Parker School), and freshmen Summer Bales, Megumi Barber (San Diego/Mt. Carmel HS), Nunn and Avery Schulhofer. Meghan Berry (San Diego Miramar College/Mt. Carmel HS), like Bocchino a redshirt junior and first-time co-captain, drew her first start as a Triton at center back, having moved there from central midfield, while sophomore Taylor Ramos (San Diego/Coronado HS) earned her first collegiate start.

Thursday’s match pitted the Tritons and Eagles for the first time in women’s soccer.

UCSD hosts another PacWest foe in crosstown rival Point Loma this Saturday night, Sept. 5. Kickoff at Triton Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m. The Sea Lions (1-0) are the reigning PacWest champions and preseason favorites to repeat.

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