LA JOLLA, Calif. — UC San Diego men's soccer gave up goals at the start and end of the second half to fall 2-0 to Houston Christian at Triton Soccer Stadium on Thursday night.
The loss moved the Tritons to 0-3-1 on the season. HCU moved to 3-1-0. Thursday's match was UC San Diego's 2025 home opener.
Nolan Premack recorded six saves for the Tritons, splitting them evenly with three saves in each half. Despite relatively even possession numbers, the ball was in the Tritons' defensive half for large stretches of the match. HCU finished the match with a 17-6 advantage in shots and an 8-3 advantage in shots on target.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was largely uneventful, ending 0-0. HCU had an edge in possession and shots, although the Tritons had two early chances off a pair of corner kicks.
The second half began with a quick HCU goal as the Huskies went ahead in the 48th minute. The Tritons were keeping possession in the back when a mis-played pass went right to the HCU attacker, who took advantage with a free shot at goal.
The Tritons responded with increased pressure, recording multiple shots, and tilting the possession numbers in their direction. They registered four second-half shots and a pair of corner kicks, but were unable to find the back of the net.
HCU put the game away on a penalty kick goal in the 85th minute. Ryan Okerayi was dragged down in the box and stepped up to take the ensuing penalty, which he scored to bring the match to its 2-0 conclusion.
TRITON TIDBITS
QUOTABLE
"We are extremely frustrated with the result," head coach
Jon Pascale said. "We played against a good team tonight, but we gifted them their goals. I am confident we will learn from these matches and they will serve us well down the road. We are looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow and prepping for another good team in Utah Tech."
UP NEXT
The Tritons remain at home for a match next Friday, Sept. 12, versus Utah Tech. The contest begins at 7:00 p.m. from Triton Soccer Stadium. Admission is free, with the match also airing on ESPN+.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
