Box Score ARCATA, Calif. – Fueled by two late Gus Baxter goals, one on a penalty kick, HSU men's soccer fought valiantly but couldn't claim a victory Friday afternoon at College Creek Field, falling to UC San Diego by a 3-2 final.
 
"We got off to a slow start again today," said Head Coach Fred Jungemann. "It's a couple games now that we've seen the same kind of trend for us, but I do have to say that our guys responded well in the second half. We played 15 minutes or so with the intensity level and desire that we want consistently, and as a result clawed our way back into the game. But San Diego is a very good team; they're at the top of the table in our conference for a reason, and they made it very difficult for us today, especially in the first half."
 
San Diego managed the first goal as Kiefer Cooksey scored unassisted at the 9:26 mark, and added to its lead at 42:55 as Danny Glascock was assisted by Brent Jones. The Tritons' momentum continued into the second half, as Cooksey notched one home at 64:51 assisted by Uly De La Cal.
 
Baxter helped the Jacks attempt a comeback with a goal at 78:23 assisted by Isaiah Dairo and then found the mark with his penalty kick at 84:05. The home team looked ready to tie it up as they threatened late, but could never find the equalizer.
 
"Gus came up big with a couple goals," said Jungemann. "He's usually center back for us but we put him up top to try to make some things happen and he did a great job of it. He scored a great goal for our first one and then was composed and put away a nice PK to bring us back into the game. He symbolizes the effort that we put in."
 
The loss takes HSU to 6-6 overall, 3-5 conference, while the Tritons go to 8-1-4 and 6-1-2. The Jacks are in action next against Cal State San Marcos at home on Sunday with a 2 p.m. start.