LA JOLLA, Calif. – Opening the 2023 season at Triton Soccer Stadium, UC San Diego fell to University of the Pacific 2-1 in the Thursday nightcap.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
While the first half remained 0-0 for all 45 minutes, the Tigers made their presence and pressure known early with eight shots to the Tritons' one. However, none of the nine shots were on goal for either squad.
 
In the second, a collision in the box earned a penalty kick for Pacific to put them up 1-0 in the 56th minute. Two minutes later, Andrew Valverde's and Jonah Kawamura's flurry of shots earned the Tritons a penalty kick. Alessandro Allen equalized the match with the successful PK after a Tiger's handball was cited in the chaos of a blocked shot.
 

Two PKs within a matter of minutes and Alessandro brings us even!
??? https://t.co/ZJxSfrsPnH#VamosTritones ? pic.twitter.com/25c8SkuzTa

— UCSD Men's Soccer (@ucsdmsoc) August 25, 2023

 
Remaining even at 1-1, UC San Diego upped their attack, earing five corner kicks. Both Iñaki Iribarren and Evan Wellerstein were able to get shots off of set plays with Wellerstein forcing a save from the Tigers' keeper.
 
Tragedy struck in the 75th minute when Pacific was able to go ahead with a late goal.
 
QUOTABLE
 
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Alessandro Allen scored the Triton's lone goal on a penalty kick. The senior scored his only goal of the 2022 season the same way.
• Triton defenders, Iñaki Iribarren, Evan Wellerstein, Asa Gibson, and keeper, Mitchell Wilson all played 90 minutes. Jonah Kawamura played 89.
• Three Tritons made their official college debuts: Connor Place, Brian Arens, and Evan Wellerstein.
• James Redington and Iñaki Iribarren made their UC San Diego debuts tonight.
• The Tritons and Tigers are now even in the all-time series at 1-1.

 
UP NEXT
UC San Diego will be back under the lights on Saturday, Aug. 26 as they host San Jose State with kickoff set for 7 p.m. If you are unable to attend the match in person, the game will be live on ESPN+ with live stats available on ucsdtritons.com.