LA JOLLA, Calif. - Coming off a 2-1 victory over Humboldt State, the UC San Diego men's soccer team hopes to keep its momentum as it plays two straight matches with new California Collegiate Athletic Association foe Cal State East Bay, first on the road Friday at 12:30 p.m. and then at home Sunday at 12 p.m.
The Tritons, 5-3-4 overall and 2-3-3 in CCAA play at the league schedule's halfway point, sit in a tie for fourth place in the conference's South Division. CSUEB, on the other hand, is in a distant last-place position at 1-11-0 overall and 0-8-0 through league action. The two squads have met twice previously in program history, once in 1992 and another time in 1994. Both were UCSD victories.
This past Sunday the Tritons topped HSU, with scores from junior David Bakal and freshman Kian Malek, after losing to No. 7 Sonoma State two days earlier 2-1. CSUEB, hosting the two same opponents on the alternate days, suffered 3-1 losses to both challengers.
Junior midfielder Shane Micheil has led UCSD's offense through the first half of the CCAA schedule with seven points on three goals and an assist. Senior goalkeeper Peter Akman has posted 50 saves and five shutouts while playing in every minute of the Tritons' 2009 matches.
Following the two-match series with the Pioneers, the UCSD squad will challenge defending national champion Cal State Dominguez Hills Oct. 16 and No. 1-ranked Cal State L.A. Oct. 18, both road matches.
