The UCSD Tritons pulled off the upset over the Division 1 USC Trojans in an early morning showdown, securing a commanding 14-8 victory. From the opening whistle, the Tritons came out firing, fueled by the dominant play of Junior Faceoff Specialist Blake Zimmerman (#48), who set the tone by controlling possession and giving UCSD crucial early offensive opportunities.  

The offense was led by sophomore Jackson Edwards (#7) and senior Austin Ortel (#22), who both delivered standout performances. Edwards tallied four goals, while Ortel had an outstanding game with four goals and three assists. Senior Alex Franz (#16) added to the offensive firepower with two goals and an assist, helping the Tritons build and maintain their lead. Contributions from across the roster made the difference, with Thomas Kenyon (#1), Carlos Barrientos (#21), Santiago Zachman (#88), and Ian Han (#6) each finding the back of the net.  

On the defensive end, freshman goalie Kian Gulbrandsen (#2) was lights out, earning defensive player of the game honors with an impressive 13 saves and an assist. The Triton defense was relentless, shutting down the Trojan attack and keeping USC from gaining any momentum throughout the game.  

This monumental win gives UCSD a huge confidence boost as they prepare for a tough road trip to Nampa, Idaho, where they will face three top-10 teams: Northwest Nazarene, Utah State, and Florida Atlantic. With this victory, the Tritons have established themselves as a team to watch and will look to carry this momentum into a pivotal weekend of competition.