The UCSD Men’s Club Soccer Team traveled to Cal Poly Pomona this past weekend in search of a win to push them closer to their goal of qualification for a Spring Showcase. Throughout the first 30 minutes of the matchup, UCSD struggled to break down a condensed Pomona backline who sheltered behind the ball looking to hit the Tritons on the counter. With 10 minutes left in the first half, UCSD’s press forced a mistake from a Cal Poly defender. Kalani Takamura picked off a softly hit pass back to the goalie and was clipped as he tried to round the corner. The referee awarded a penalty and Lucas Venetoulias calmly finished the try into the bottom left corner. 

Late in the first half, with UCSD seemingly in control of the game, a slip at the top of the Triton’s defensive box saw Pomona in 1 on 1 and the forward finished it to send the game into the halftime break deadlocked at 1. 

UCSD came out flying in the second half. After winning the ball successfully again on the press, forward Paul Jasper spun past his defender in the box before being dragged down to earn UCSD another penalty try. This time captain Jorge Gomez stepped up and hammered home a penalty to push the score to 2-1. 15 minutes later, with UCSD dominating possession and chances, a great team build up saw left-back Michael Korelov released down the left hand channel where he beat his man and crossed to the head of Paul Jasper. Jasper flicked on the header and the ball flew into the bottom-right corner putting UCSD up 3-1 with 15 minutes left. A late goal from Pomona was too little too late and the Tritons hung on for a solid 3-2 away win despite muddy field conditions and several injuries throughout the match. UCSD will now look to take full advantage of their off-week to recuperate and heal before their next games in two-weeks time.