3/29/2025 - Tritons Cruise to a Victory against UC Santa Cruz

The #1 ranked UC San Diego Tritons continued their undefeated season with a commanding 20-8 victory over the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs on Sunday. The Tritons jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, controlling the pace and tone of the game from the opening whistle.

UCSD’s offensive firepower was on full display, led by the starting attack line of Austin Ortel (#22), Alex Franz (#16), and Jackson Edwards (#7), who combined for an impressive 11 goals and five assists. The chemistry between the trio proved too much for the Slugs’ defense to handle, as they consistently found space and capitalized on scoring opportunities.

A major highlight came from sophomore Thomas Kenyon (#1), who netted his first career hat trick, notching three goals and energizing the sideline. Midfielder Noah Skinner (#19) also chipped in two goals, contributing to a deep and balanced offensive effort.

With the Tritons pulling ahead early, the coaching staff took advantage of the opportunity to get valuable minutes for some of the team’s less experienced players, giving the bench a chance to gain game-time experience while maintaining the high standard of play.

On the defensive end, the Tritons were anchored by a lockdown unit consisting of Trevor Redford (#14), Billy Mack (#4), and Kian Gulbrandsen (#2). The trio set the tone physically and communicated well throughout the game, keeping the Banana Slugs at bay for most of the afternoon. While Santa Cruz managed a few late goals in garbage time, the outcome was never in doubt.

With this win, UCSD remains undefeated at 8-0 and retains their top spot in the national rankings. The Tritons will be back in action tomorrow with a quick turnaround, facing off against San Jose State in what promises to be another exciting matchup.