UCSD Takes Care of Business and WINS Director's Cup
Despite being terribly short of players, the Tritons manhandled their competition in Bakersfield this past weekend to take home the championship.
The team's first game was against Westcliff, who they had already played and beat earlier in the season 3-0. UCSD looked dominant to start off the game and eventually captain Michael Boychuk was able to slip a goal in off an unpredictable butt touch on a cross from forward Paul Jasper to put the boys up 1-0. In the second half, Westcliff would equalize the score with a well placed penalty kick. UCSD would not be content with a draw, however, as forward/goalie Trevor Fried assisted Eduardo Moran for a clinical volley finish to put the Tritons in the lead 2-1, where that would stay as the final result.
A worn UCSD faced UC Santa Cruz in the second game of the day, and thrashed them 4-0. Michael Boychuk would continue his rampage with an outrageous hat trick and retired goalie Trevor Fried would contribute one more as The Tritons breezed past Santa Cruz to lock themselves a spot in the finals.
The Tritons would go on to play San Jose State in their third game in a game that did not matter as the Tritons already qualified for the championship game off the back of the previous results on Saturday, and after experimenting with players in new positions they quickly found themselves down 0-3 within 30 minutes of the game starting. UCSD would wake up after that, and played a much cleaner second half. The boys came close to completing a comeback with a first goal coming from Eduardo Moran and an assist by Paul Jasper. Midfielder William Ross would also put one in the back of the net off of an assist from Micheal Boychuk, as the team was gaining momentum. UCSD were unable to find that last goal, however, with the final result being 2-3 to San Jose as the team set their sights on the championship game.
UCSD played UCR in the finals, who they had also played but lost to 0-2 earlier in the season. The team had minimal subs and many were playing through injuries, but the boys wanted to win more. They did not come this far and put their body through incredible pain to lose. After a hard fought first half from both teams, the score stayed 0-0. However, the flood gates opened for the Tritons in the second half, as goals came in from Michael Boychuk (2), Eduardo Moran, Paul Jasper, and Micheal Korelov with assists from Paul Jasper, William Ross, and Yanis Chenna. UCSD kept a clean sheet and took home the championship with a statement 5-0 victory.
On top of winning the whole tournament, the man on fire, Captain Michael Boychuk capped off a fantastic weekend by earning himself the Golden Boot for the tournament with 6 goals and an assist in 4 games.