An unfortunate loss to start the UCSD hockey season against USC at KHS Ice Arena on Friday night. Despite remaining balanced in shots throughout most of the game, some unlucky bounces led to goals against for the Tritons. Penalties also held back their offensive push with seven penalty kills, three of which resulted in goals against. Nate Seekins hammered home the first goal of the UCSD season in the first period. This was followed by a painful lull in scoring, not for lack of trying with copious chances and rebounds in front of the net that simply could not find their way in. Despite the score, there were many positive takeaways, with UCSD spending a lot of time in the offensive zone and maintaining possession well, as well as boldly leading the physical play and not shying away from contact. After all, they finished off the game on a high note matching USC in goals that period with one from Andrew Chua early in the third, and another from Nick Goutzioulis seven seconds before the final buzzer. In all, the Tritons can be hopeful looking at the season ahead, relying on the foundations visibly present in this game, and tweaking the little things to be successful next week.