SAN DIEGO – San Diego dropped a tough-fought match to UC Riverside, 2-0, on Friday night at Torero Stadium.
 
After being issued an early red card, the Toreros (4-5-2) were unable to overcome a one-man disadvantage and two-goal deficit. The Highlanders (2-7-1) scored goals in the 20th and 70th minutes to secure the win.
 
The teams were engaged in a physical battle from the start of the match. In the 19th minute, San Diego forward Chris Tobler was issued a red card that put the Toreros a man down for the remainder of the contest.
 
One minute later, UCR's Daniel Castaneda intercepted a long Torero pass in the center of the field. Castaneda fired a shot from the top of the box that sailed past Matt Wiher and into the left corner of the goal to put the Highlanders up, 1-0.
 
The Torero defense held the Highlanders in check for the remainder of the half, limiting UCR to just three shots. However, San Diego was outshot in the first half, 7-1. 
 
Riverside's second goal came in the 70th minute when Daniel Aguirre took a long pass down the field, past a USD defender and sent a cross shot right to left into goal. 
 
San Diego was aggressive in the second half and had two quality opportunities that just barely missed the mark. In the 80th minute, Reuben Dass threaded a shot past four UCR defenders from the top of the box, but UCR goal keeper Edwyn Gutierrez was there to make the stop. 
 
USD had another good opportunity in the 86th minute when Jimmy Ryan hit a strong shot from 20 yards out that hit the crossbar and was cleared by a UCR defender. 
 
The Toreros were outshot in the contest, 10-5, with all five Torero shots coming in the second half. The Highlanders also held a slight advantage in corner kicks, 7-5. Goalkeeper Matt Wiher finished the night with three saves. 
 
San Diego will head on the road to begin WCC play against San Francisco (Oct. 7), Gonzaga (Oct. 12), and Portland (Oct. 14).