SAN DIEGO – San Diego opens its 2018 season with a trip south this weekend to take on Virginia Tech and Georgia.
The Toreros start the regular season against the Hokies on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (PT) at Virginia Tech. USD finishes the weekend against the Bulldogs on Sunday at 8 a.m. at Virginia Tech. Live streams and live stats will be available for both matches.
MASON NAMED PRESEASON ALL-WCC
- Senior forward, Summer Mason, was named to the All-WCC Preseason Team.
- Mason led the Toreros in points (19), goals (9), and game-winning goals (3) last season. She was an All-WCC first-team selection in 2017.
STRONG CONFERENCE FINISH
- The Toreros finished third in the WCC last year – their highest finish since 2011, when they tied for the conference championship.
- This year they are picked to finish fourth in the WCC women's soccer preseason coaches poll.
MORE EXPERIENCE
- USD has 19 returners this year; with head coach Louise Lieberman returning for her second season.
- Last year, USD was young team with 14 newcomers, including 13 freshmen. They will look to build on the chemistry and success they started at the end of last season.
- Among the key returners is All-WCC second-team selection Amber Michel. Michel had an excellent season in goal for the Toreros, holding a 1.62 goal against average and .754 save percentage, while making 95 saves.
LAST TIME OUT
- USD led most of the game but surrendered two goals in the final minutes, in a 2-1 defeat against No. 21 Washington State in a preseason exhibition match at Torero Stadium.
- The Toreros put on offensive pressure early in the match, outshooting the Cougars 6-3 in the first half.
- Mason scored the first goal of the match with a left-footed shot to the top right corner of the goal.
- Michel held Washington State scoreless during the 66:57 minutes she was in goal, recording 2 saves.
VIRGINIA TECH HISTORY
- USD is 1-1 all-time against the Virginia Tech. In their most recent meeting in 2017, the Toreros had a strong defensive effort that fell just short, when they dropped a 1-0 double over-time decision to the Hokies.
GEORGIA HISTORY
- USD will face Georgia for the first time in school history.
