In one of the most electrifying matchups of the season, the UC San Diego Tritons pulled off a massive road upset, defeating the No. 5-ranked Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks 12-11 in a nail-biting contest. The win marks a milestone for the Tritons, who took down a powerhouse program that will be moving up to NCAA Division II next season.

UCSD came out firing, storming to a 4-2 lead by the end of the first quarter. Senior attackman Austin Ortel (#22) orchestrated the offense early, racking up assists and finding the back of the net himself. However, the Nighthawks clawed their way back, tying the game at 5-5 heading into halftime.

The second half saw back-and-forth action, with both teams trading blows in a tense battle. Senior attack Alex Franz (#16) delivered in key moments, scoring three goals and adding an assist, while sophomore attack Jackson Edwards (#7) chipped in with two goals and an assist. Junior midfielder Ian Han (#6) proved to be the hero, netting two crucial goals—including the game-winner in the final minutes.

The Tritons' defense held strong against a relentless NNU attack, anchored by standout performances from Max McConville (#11), Trevor Redford (#14), Billy Mack (#4), and Henri Schulz (#9). Freshman goalie Kian Gulbrandsen (#2) was the backbone of UCSD’s defense, recording a stellar 16 saves, including two clutch back-to-back stops in the final seconds to seal the victory.

“This win is huge for the program,” said head coach Albert Man. “To come on the road and take down a top-five team—especially one moving up to NCAA D2 next year—says a lot about the heart and determination of this squad. I couldn’t be prouder.”

With the statement victory, UC San Diego continues to build momentum and prove they belong among the nation’s top teams. The Tritons will look to carry this energy into their next matchup as they push toward a postseason berth.