LA JOLLA – Braxton Griffin and Brian Holmes each scored to put the Jacks up 2-1 at halftime, but Humboldt State could not hold onto the lead. The Jacks gave up two second-half goals as they fell 3-2 to the UC San Diego Tritons Friday night. The loss drops HSU to 3-11-0 overall, 3-10-0 in California Collegiate Athletic Association action. UCSD improves to 7-8-0 overall, 6-7-0 in conference.

Griffin put the Jacks up on the board first in the 21st minute. Eric Baumgardner dribbled the ball down the middle of the field, laying it off for Griffin on his right, which Griffin promptly placed perfectly into the top-right corner of the goal.

Alec Arsht responded for the Tritons eight minutes later for his second goal of the season. The Humboldt State defense could not get a good clear out of the 18-yard box, giving Arsht the opportunity to finish from just seven yards out, tying the game at 1-1.

In the 44th minute, the Jacks were awarded a penalty kick to give HSU a chance at grabbing the lead right before halftime. Holmes slotted the penalty kick past Jesse Brennan to put the Jacks up 2-1.

While the first half was more evenly spread offensively—both teams fired off seven shots—UCSD came out determined in the second half to find an equalizer and outshot the Jacks 7-2. The tying goal came in the 58th minute when Cory Wolfrom connected with Klan Malek off a byline pass into the box. Malek finished past Kyle Verle to tie the game once again.

Arsht gave the Tritons the go-ahead—and eventual game-winning—goal in the 67th minute as he redirected a pass from Tsuk Haroush, putting the score at 3-2 in favor of UCSD with just over 20 minutes left in the match. The Jacks could not find the equalizer, ending the game at 3-2.

HSU has the opportunity to split the weekend's road trip as it travels to Cal State San Bernardino for a Sunday kickoff time of 11:30 a.m. The Jacks will then finish the season at home with their last three games, including a non-conference match against Dominican on Tuesday.