CSUSM’s Men’s Soccer held their first game of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Conference at home against the UCSD Tritons on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

The Cougars completed a shutout against the Tritons and upset the No. 21-ranked team in the CCAA conference.

The intensity remained high from both sides at the three-minute mark of the first half as Nick Polano of UCSD took a shot at the goal.

It was a close call, but CSUSM goalkeeper Justin Tesar, made a one-handed block, keeping the score at 0-0.

By halftime the score remained 0-0 and each team had taken three shots on goal.

There were 30 minutes left in the second half when both teams crowded around UCSD’s goal. The Tritons fought to prevent the Cougars from taking the lead. However, Sophomore Andrew Stalboerger was left with open field and managed to kick the ball right past the Triton’s goalie, Cameron McElfresh, on an assist from Senior Zach Olow.

As the clock continued to wind down in the second half, UCSD gained a penalty kick after CSUSM midfielder Brian Morrison earned his second yellow card of the game.

Tesar blocked the penalty kick, allowing the Cougars to keep the upper hand as the second half came to a close.

CSUSM held their advantage in the last remaining minutes over UCSD, upsetting the school’s winning record for the year.

The loss by the Tritons dropped their win-loss-tie record from 5-0-1 to 5-1-1. After this loss their conference record stands at 0-1.

Junior JJ Castillo said he believed they, as a team, worked together and executed well on the field, prevailing in their win against the Tritons.

“Having it being a home game, our first match of the CCAA and against our crosstown rivals, we know what we had to do to come out on top and I believe that’s what we did,” Castillo said.

Head Coach Ron Pulvers said his team did well executing what they prepared for the whole week leading up to the CCAA showdown.

“This team is second to none. Their teamwork is fantastic.”