Wilson’s Early Goal Lifts UCSD to 1-0 Triumph Over BYU-Hawaii In NCAA Tournament Second Round

WAIPAHU, Hawaii – The 12th-ranked UC San Diego women’s soccer team got a goal from Ellen Wilson in the 15th minute and that’s all they would need to defeat No. 2 seed BYU-Hawaii in the second round of the NCAA Division II Soccer Championships on Saturday night at Waipio Stadium.

With the victory, UCSD improves to 16-2-3 overall and advances to face top-seeded Seattle Pacific in the third round on Thursday, November 18. The Tritons will square off with the ninth-ranked Falcons in a Sweet 16 matchup, with the highest remaining seed from the South Central Region serving as the host site.

SPU (16-1-2) defeated No. 5 seed Montana State-Billings 2-0 in Seattle earlier in the day.

As they have done on so many occasions in 2010, the Tritons wasted little time grabbing the lead on Saturday. Sophomore defender Haley Johnson took a left-footed corner from the right side and sent a bending kick toward the box. Wilson made a nice run at the ball and slipped a header past Seasider keeper Megan McClain for the 1-0 lead at the 14:29 mark.

The goal marked Wilson’s third score of the season and second in as many games, as she also punched home the decisive goal in Thursday’s 3-1 opening round win over San Francisco State. All three of her goals have been game-winners.

“Offensively, we came out knowing it would be important to score a goal in the first half when we were playing downhill,” head coach Brian McManus said. “We played ever so well in the first half, particularly the first 20 minutes, really connecting with our passes and creating opportunities.”

With the score in their favor, the Triton defense took over, limiting BYU-Hawaii (14-2-2) to just seven shots in the match. The Seasiders did not have a shot on goal, as junior keeper Kristin Armstrong recorded her 12th shutout of the season without needing to make a save.

“We had a total team defensive effort and that was the key tonight,” McManus added. “If someone was caught out of position, somebody else was always close enough to pick up the slack.”

The Tritons took 12 shots offensively, six of which were on frame. Anne Wethe finished with three shots, while Sara Spaventa and Gabi Hernandez took two.

UCSD also finished with a commanding 15-1 advantage on corner kicks.

The Tritons will now await results from the South Central Region to see where they will travel to face Seattle Pacific for the West Regional title. Sunday’s second round matchups will feature top-seeded St. Edwards (16-1-1) against No. 4 seed Abilene Christian (17-3-0) and No. 2 seed and undefeated Central Missouri (18-0-0) pitted against No. 6 Truman State (11-3-5). Both contests are scheduled to kickoff at 11:00 a.m. PST.

UCSD will be making its second straight Sweet 16 appearance next week. After earning a first round bye in 2009, the seconded seeded Tritons defeated No. 6 seed Chico State 2-1 in round two, but lost a penalty kick shootout with CCAA rival Cal State Dominguez Hills in the round of 16.

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