UCSD traveled to San Marcos this weekend looking to repeat as Director’s Cup Champions following their triumph in 2021. Their first game of the weekend pitted the Tritons against UC Santa Cruz. 

UCSD opened the scoring early as forward Paul Jasper capitalized on sloppy play in the back from UCSC. Yanis Chenna smashed in the second minutes later and the Tritons rode into half on a comfortable 2-0 lead. The second half saw more of the same from UCSD who dominated possession and chances created throughout the match. Yanis Chenna’s second goal contribution of the match came midway through the second half as his low driven cross found Michael Boychuk who buried the chance to put UCSD up by three.

With the solid result in their first game, the Tritons all but guaranteed themselves a spot in the semifinals Sunday. 

Another new opponent presented themselves as UCSD’s second test on Saturday. Northern Arizona University was a team that the Tritons knew nothing about heading into the match.

Early in the first half, a lapse in concentration from the Tritons’ back line saw an NAU forward put in an early breakaway to put UCSD down 0-1. This goal sparked the Tritons who quickly responded through a magical run into the corner from midfielder Will Ross who found forward Paul Jasper open around the penalty spot. Paul finished beautifully into the far corner giving the keeper no chance at saving the shot. 1-1. 

The rest of the game was marked by a reserved performance from the Tritons due to a lack of bench options as well as the knowledge that a draw would likely be enough for a number one seed.

The Tritons played their cross town rival SDSU in the semi finals. The Tritons would go up 2-0 with a pair of goals from Paul Jasper and Kalani Takamura early in the first half, defending the direct SDSU attack quite well. The Aztecs would start a comeback with a goal in the second half, but their efforts would be thwarted with another pair of UCSD goals from Will Ross and Michael Boychuk. Tritons won the game 4-1

In the final, UCSD would face up against NAU, who they tied 1-1 earlier in the group stages. The Tritons, battered after a long tournament with little subs, would open the scoring with a stunning goal from Yanis Chenna. In the second half Kalani Takamura would net another one to put the Tritons up 2-0. NAU would eventually slip one past goalkeeper Jorge Mendoza, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 2-0 deficit. With a final score of 2-1, UCSD would win their second Director’s cup in a row heading into Thanksgiving break. Great effort from our Men’s club soccer team to snatch the championship two years in a row!!