SAN DIEGO - The UC San Diego men’s soccer team took a 2-0 lead early in the second half and held on to defeat Point Loma Nazarene University, 2-1, in a non-conference match-up of crosstown rivals at PLNU Soccer Field on Tuesday evening.

With the win, the Tritons improved to 2-1 on the year. The Sea Lions fell to 0-1-1.

UCSD got on the scoreboard through some good combination play in the 24th minute. Senior Alessandro Canalelaid the ball back for sophomore strike partner Sam Palano, who in turn played a short pass into space for senior midfielder Brandon Bauman to run onto, take a touch and crack into the upper right corner from 20 or so yards out. It was Bauman’s second already of 2014 after completing his first year in a Triton uniform in 2013 with a team-best five assists but no goals.

“Sandro (Canale) had the ball in the middle of the field, and then he slipped Sammy Palano in,” described Bauman. “I was sort of making an overlapping run through the middle. I took a touch just outside the defender and tried to keep (my shot) low and hard and hit it far post, and got lucky with it.”

“It’s based off of my position this year,” added Bauman about his early scoring form. “I’m playing more of a central role. Last year, I was mainly a right winger. My job there was to get balls in (into the penalty box). This year, if I can fill those gaps that Andi (Andisheh Bagheri) left for us, I’m trying to clean up those shots that are around the top of the box. That’s what I’ve been focusing on.”

“Both his goals have come from the center of the field, and just with great technique on the shot,” offered UCSD head coach Jon Pascale. “He’s got the ability to score. It’s great to see him on the scoreboard early, and we just hope that will continue.”

The Tritons averted a close call earlier in the frame as a right-sided corner kick somehow found its way all the way across to the far post for a free header by Mitch Wheedon, who fortunately put his effort just wide of the left post. UCSD threatened minutes later when Zachary Lagotta’s header off a right-sided A.J. Beloff cross was denied by freshman Point Loma goalkeeper Chandler Kirby.

Freshman Eric Young notched what proved to be the game-winning score just after the intermission at 48:04. A delicate ball from the right by Canale made its way to a wide-open Young toward the center of the penalty area, with the Camarillo native lifting a first-time right-footed shot beyond Kirby’s reach.

“It’s a dream come true to score a goal in college,” said Young, who is entering his second year at UCSD but is in his first season on the team. “It’s really nice to be able to get on the field, let alone score a goal, and just help my teammates out in getting this win. It’s a big one and I’m very happy.”

Point Loma was able to pull one back at 75:23 through a bullet header by Wheedon off a right-sided Matt Rose cross, but was unable to find the equalizer.

Junior UCSD goalkeeper Cameron McElfresh finished with one save. Kirby wound up with four stops. The Tritons held a 13-10 shot advantage, including 8-3 in the second half, and took 10 corner kicks to just four by the home side.

Canale earned credit for assists on both UCSD goals, with Palano’s helper marking the first of his young career. Fourth-year senior Jacob Valadez drew his first start since 2012 alongside Bauman in central midfield, while sophomore Gerrit van Zyll made his 2014 season debut. Fellow sophomore Riley Harbour put in a good 45-minute shift off the bench and took three shots, two of them headers.

“We’re really happy to come away with a win,” remarked Pascale. “It was a hard-fought game. It was our third game in six days, whereas (Point Loma) hadn’t played since Thursday. They certainly had a freshness advantage to them, but I think the extra games actually paid off (for us) in being able to manage little situations. We were really happy to get the win, but a little disappointed to give up the late goal. Point Loma’s a good team. They are going to win some games this year.”

UCSD resumes non-conference action at home this Thursday, Sept. 11, against Dixie State, and Sunday, Sept. 14, against another local foe in Cal State San Marcos. Kickoff at Triton Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m. each night. The Dixie State contest follows the 2014 home opener for the UCSD women at 4:30 p.m. against Azusa Pacific.

“Two really difficult opponents that present different challenges,” concluded Pascale about what remains this week. “Since we have a little bit of a new team, we really wanted to get them as many games early as possible, to be able to figure ourselves out, learn the lessons early, and I know that will pay off late in the season.”

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