CHICO, Calif. - UC San Diego led at the break but ultimately had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Chico State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women’s soccer contest at University Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

UCSD moved to 4-4-2 overall and 1-2-1 in the CCAA. Chico State is now 5-3-2 overall and 2-1-1 in league play. The teams tied 2-2 in Chico a year ago. The Tritons are 3-0-3 in the last six regular-season meetings with the ‘Cats since a 2-0 road loss in 2009.

The Tritons struck first in the 14th minute. Senior central midfielder Kiley Leshin crossed to teammate Katie O’Laughlin waiting at the far post. The true freshman out of Carlsbad’s Pacific Ridge School had enough time to settle the ball before finding the upper corner for the first goal of her college career. She was making her second straight start at a forward spot. Leshin’s assist was her first of 2014.

UCSD held a 5-3 edge in shots taken at the break.

Chico State equalized at exactly the 67:00 mark, as a second successive corner kick by Katie Woodrum was met at the far post by the head of Halima Abdelshife for her first goal of 2014.

Triton sophomore Meghan Berry almost broke the deadlock again in the 78th, only for her shot to come off of the crossbar.

In the first overtime period, UCSD got shots from Kylie Hill, Berry and Jordyn McNutt (San Diego/University City HS), but they were high, wide and saved, respectively.

The only two attempts in the second and final 10-minute extra period came from the Tritons, but Izzy Pozuramawas high of the target, and Kiera Bocchino’s shot at the death at 108:59 was denied by Chico State’s senior goalkeeper, Brianna Furner.

“This is a game where we lost two points,” said UCSD head coach Brian McManus. “We had far and away enough chances to win it, but just couldn’t put some great opportunities away.

“We got a breakthrough ball, Izzy beat the keeper to it and made the right play, toe-poking it over her head, but she hit it just a little too hard and put it off the crossbar,” added McManus about the Pozurama chance in the second overtime. “Izzy probably makes that shot 99 times out of 100.”

Junior Kelcie Brodsky had two saves for UCSD. Furner made four stops for the ‘Cats.

The Tritons wound up with 13 shots on the day, to 10 by the hosts.

“I think we’re starting to turn the corner,” McManus concluded about the weekend. “We’re attacking teams much, much better, creating more chances, and just looking more solid overall. Today’s goal came on a set piece, where we’ve been pretty good all year, and teams are not threatening much in the run of play now.”

UCSD returns to La Jolla and awaits a pair of home matches on Homecoming weekend. The Tritons will host 17th-ranked defending CCAA champion Cal State Stanislaus on Friday, Oct. 10 (4:30 p.m.), and Cal State East Bay on Sunday, Oct. 12 (12 p.m.), at Triton Soccer Stadium.

#TritonsRising

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