LA JOLLA, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay women's soccer team suffered a road loss on Friday night as UC San Diego scored three unanswered goals to erase a 1-0 deficit on a humid evening at Triton Stadium.
Following the first week of fall classes at UCSD, the Pioneers (3-6, 1-2 CCAA) and Tritons (5-3, 1-2 CCAA) played in front of nearly 800 spectators, their largest crowd of the year.
Things looked promising for the Pioneers in the early going, as junior
Megan Ravenscroft made an impressive play to notch her team-leading fourth goal of the season and give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
She dribbled in towards the end line on the left side and took a tough left-footed shot from a narrow angle that found the right corner of the goal at 13:40. It was the 14th career goal for Ravenscroft, who earned All-Conference honors in 2014 and has led East Bay in scoring each of her first two seasons.
CSUEB's advantage was short-lived, however. Less than seven minutes later, a cross from the right side into the box was headed back towards the far post to Mary Reilly, who scored into the right corner of the goal to even the score.
It remained 1-1 heading into the break, but the home team took over in the second half. The Tritons out-shot East Bay 24-to-6 for the game, and it finally paid off in the 55th minute. Katie O'Laughlin snuck a goal into the left corner following a combination play near midfield. Megumi Barber then tacked on an insurance goal for the Tritons in the 79th minute, scoring into the left side of the net off a cross from Kiera Bocchino.
UCSD's defense was stout down the stretch, holding the Pioneers to just one shot on goal after Ravenscroft gave them a brief lead. Goalkeeper
Katelyn Oshima had a busy night, making five saves in 54 minutes of play. Freshman
Amanda Valentine then came off the bench for the final 36 minutes and made a pair of saves.
Next up, the Pioneer women continue their Southern California road trip by visiting CCAA newcomer Cal State San Marcos. The Pioneers and Cougars kick off Sunday morning, Sept. 27, at 11:30 a.m.
