A Close Contest Tests Tritons' Preparations
UC San Diego's women's soccer team opened its 2026 preseason with a 1-0 loss to San Diego, a match that served as the final tune‑up before the regular season.
The only goal came in the 82nd minute, when San Diego exploited a defensive miscommunication and sent the ball past goalkeeper Charlotte Wilfert, who had already made a save earlier in the half.
Wilfert played the first 60 minutes between the posts, recording one save while facing a flurry of early pressure from the Tritons.
Defenders Lauren Zamora and Claire Tonkin each contributed a save in the closing stages, helping to preserve the narrow deficit.
UC San Diego dominated the opening half, outshooting San Diego 8‑1 and earning a 4‑1 corner‑kick advantage, with Ava Tibor striking the crossbar in the 17th minute after a promising build‑up.
Second‑chance attempts by Kennadi Borg and Alexis Nguyen were blocked, and the team’s first shots on goal did not materialize until 10 minutes into the second half.
Olivia Shih, a redshirt freshman, tested the opposition with a long‑range effort, while San Diego’s best chance arrived as a wide miss that fell just short of the target.
With under five minutes remaining, the Tritons’ most threatening move was cut off by the opposing goalkeeper, underscoring the defensive resilience of San Diego.
San Diego added five shots in the final period while maintaining a clean sheet, whereas the Tritons managed only a handful of attempts.
Head coach Kristin Jones praised the team’s offensive execution, noting that the match provided a clear picture of strengths and areas needing work as the roster prepares for the upcoming season.
Ten of the eleven starters were members of last year’s squad, including five players who appeared in at least 18 games during the 2025 campaign.
Redshirt freshman Olivia Shih sat out her freshman year in 2025, while transfer Cadee Borg joined the program after a stint at Pepperdine.
The encounter marked the first meeting between the two sides since an exhibition in 2023, adding a narrative layer to the growing rivalry.
UC San Diego is set to conclude its tenure in The Big West and will transition to the West Coast Conference in 2027, a move that could reshape the competitive landscape for the program.
The Tritons will meet San Diego State again on August 12, 2026, with the game slated for broadcast on ESPN+, offering fans an early glimpse of the new conference schedule.