A Successful NorCal Trip for UCSD Men’s Club Soccer
As a fun team bonding experience and to play teams outside of the Southern California Region, the UCSD Men's Club Soccer Team took a road trip to the Bay Area to see some NorCal sights, embrace the colder weather, and ultimately compete with top talent teams Stanford and San Jose State University. The Tritons saw their clash with Stanford end in a 0-0 draw, but with lots of exciting chances to score and great team play. Despite the lack of goals, a lot of promising ball movement, communication, and defensive skills were showcased on the field, which was put to good use in the game against SJSU. While SJSU put up a good fight throughout the match, the Tritons outclassed the Spartans on the field, winning the game 2-0. The first half ended 1-0 in favor of UCSD after a lovely cross by Raimundo Castro was punched out by the SJSU goalie and collected by defender Jesus Salazar, who calmly placed the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle. The game continued on at a high pace with lots of chances and excitement, and the second goal came in the latter half when left back Gonzalo Reinoso crossed the ball low into forward Rohan Oprisko, looming at the front post, who quickly redirected the ball on the ground into the net. The Tritons ended the weekend with a win and a tie on the field and spent the rest of the day sightseeing in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Bridge, Mission Dolores Park, and finally enjoying some hot clam chowder at Pier 39. The whole weekend turned out to be a fantastic trip both on and off the field, and the Club Soccer Men will look to bring this momentum into the rest of the season.