Nov. 22, 2009
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif.- The University of San Diego men's soccer team came up short on Sunday evening, falling to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos by a score of 1-0 in the second round match of the NCAA Tournament at Torero Stadium.
The loss ends the Toreros' season, a campaign in which they went 12-6-2 and climbed as high as a #14 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, after they earned a first-round bye that placed them in the second round tilt.
The Gauchos' (17-4-2) leading scorer David Walker, who scored the only goal in UCSB's first round match against Wofford on Thursday, tallied the lone goal in the 43rd minute as he freed himself of the USD trapping defense, chipping the ball past Kelin Briones for the game-deciding mark from about 15 yards out.
The Toreros controlled the pace of the game for the majority of the first half, out-shooting the Gauchos 3-1. An unfortunate attempt was delivered by Stephen Posa near the end of the first half, putting the ball into the net after the final horn, negating the potential game-tying score.
UC Santa Barbara maintained their offensive attack to open the second half. A Gaucho shot from the right side in the 56th minute required a diving stop by Briones, preventing UCSB from opening up the scoring.
The Briones save sparked a barrage of USD offensive attacks thereafter, with the Toreros consistently moving the ball into the Gauchos' half of the field. A dribble-drive opportunity by Marcelo Carminatti in the 86th minute was a stand-out chance for USD, but Carminatti was forced to battle with the UCSB defender. After being impeded by the defense, the Toreros were forced to service the ball into the goalkeeper's box, an attack that was easily handled by the Gauchos.
Kelin Briones saddles the loss giving up one goal and tallying two save son the night while Gaucho goalkeeper Sam Hayden recorded four saves against the Toreros. USD registered four shots for the game while UCSB had six shots, three on goal. The two contentious teams also combined for 36 fouls, with the Toreros holding the edge with 20.
