Story Links
Next Game:
Cal Poly
10/31/2024 | 7 PM
Oct. 31 (Thu) / 7 PM
Cal Poly
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC San Diego junior back Allie Luo made a spectacular impact in her team’s latest match by scoring her first career goal in the 17th minute, helping the Tritons secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against UC Riverside on Sunday night. This match, marking the Tritons’ final road game of the 2024 season, saw their record now stand at 2-12-4 overall and 0-6-3 in Big West play, yet they have managed to earn points in two of their last three conference encounters.
In a bittersweet finale at home, UC Riverside (2-12-4, 0-5-4) commemorated its seven senior players, culminating in a competitive draw that highlighted the emotional stakes of the day.
HOW IT HAPPENED
From the outset, UC San Diego dominated the first half, displaying impressive offensive pressure with an 8-2 shot advantage and securing both corner kicks of the opening period. The breakthrough for the Tritons came in the 17th minute when Luo scored with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, sending the ball past UCR’s goalkeeper Allee Grashoff and giving UC San Diego a 1-0 lead.
No. 17 in the 17th minute! ??
First career goal for ?????????? ??????!#HeresToIt x #GoTritons pic.twitter.com/kUQdqJ2Kbr
— UCSD Women’s Soccer (@UCSDwsoc) October 28, 2024
Triton goalkeeper Ginny Fronk was relatively untroubled in the first half, facing only one shot on goal, but she made a crucial challenge and a fantastic save to preserve the Tritons’ narrow lead as they went into halftime.
However, the Highlanders quickly retaliated right after the break, finding the equalizer just a minute into the second half, courtesy of Mimi Dominguez’s skillful finish. Late in the game, UCR’s Sarah Mahfoud received her second yellow card in the 85th minute, forcing her to exit the match with just under six minutes to play. Despite having a one-player advantage for the remainder of the match, the Tritons were unable to convert this advantage into another goal.
TRITON TIDBITS
- The Tritons outshot UC Riverside with a 14-5 shooting margin.
- Senior Camryn Borg made her return to the pitch in the match, starting in the back line and playing 55 minutes for the first time since injuries sidelined her on October 6.
- The Tritons donned their distinctive navy kits, while Fronk sported baby blue as the team colors represented their school pride.
UP NEXT
As the 2024 season draws to a close, the Tritons will face off against Cal Poly on Thursday night at Triton Soccer Stadium. The match is set to kick off at 7 p.m., and fans can tune into the action through a live broadcast on ESPN+ with live statistics also available on UCSDTritons.com. In a fitting tribute, UC San Diego will honor and celebrate its eight-member graduating class before the game.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its tenure in Divisions II and III, showcasing their athletic prowess and helping 1,400 scholar-athletes achieve All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have received Academic All-America recognition, while 38 have been awarded the esteemed NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships, reflecting the caliber of student-athletes. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, boasting an impressive graduation rate of 91 percent, among the highest in all divisions.
**Interview with UC San Diego Junior Back Allie Luo After Scoring Her First Career Goal**
**Editor:** Allie, congratulations on scoring your first career goal during the match against UC Riverside! What was going through your mind when you found the back of the net?
**Allie Luo:** Thank you! Honestly, it felt surreal. In that moment, I just focused on my shot and hoped for the best. Scoring my first goal has been a dream for me, especially since it helped put us ahead early in the game.
**Editor:** The team was able to secure a hard-fought draw despite the challenges you faced. How did the team come together during this match?
**Allie Luo:** We really pushed ourselves. The first half was ours; we maintained a lot of pressure and were confident in our playing. Even after they equalized right after halftime, we kept fighting. It’s a bit disappointing we didn’t get the win, but we showed resilience by continuing to create chances.
**Editor:** UC San Diego has had a tough season but has recently managed to earn points in two of the last three conference matches. What do you think has changed for the team?
**Allie Luo:** I think we’ve started to really gel as a team. We’ve been focusing more on our communication on the field and trusting each other. Every match we play is about growth, and you can see that in how we connect with each other.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, your next game is against Cal Poly. What are your thoughts on preparing for that match?
**Allie Luo:** We need to build on our momentum from this last game. Cal Poly will be a tough opponent, but I believe we can carry our spirit and determination into the match. We just need to keep pushing and play our game.
**Editor:** Thank you, Allie, for sharing your thoughts with us! Best of luck in your next game!
**Allie Luo:** Thank you! I appreciate it!
Team manage to maintain its composure after UC Riverside equalized so quickly in the second half?
**Allie Luo:** It was definitely tough to see them score right after halftime, especially with the emotions of that day. But we reminded ourselves that we were still in it and had to keep pushing forward. We focused on sticking to our game plan and maintaining our intensity. Working together as a team kept our spirits high.
**Editor:** You also had an impressive shot advantage throughout the match, outshooting UC Riverside 14-5. How important is it for the team to capitalize on those opportunities moving forward?
**Allie Luo:** Absolutely! Creating chances is key, and it’s something we’ve been working hard on all season. We just need to stay confident in front of goal and convert those chances into points. Every game is a learning experience, and I believe it will pay off in our upcoming matches.
**Editor:** Speaking of upcoming matches, you have Cal Poly next on October 31st. What are you looking forward to in that game?
**Allie Luo:** I’m really excited for it! It’s our last game of the season, and we want to finish strong, especially for our seniors who will be honored. We’ll take all the lessons learned from this match and put them into practice. I know the team is ready to give it our all!
**Editor:** Thank you, Allie! Good luck against Cal Poly, and congratulations again on your first goal!
**Allie Luo:** Thank you so much! I appreciate the support!
