SAN DIEGO – No. 23 San Diego men's soccer, coming off a nonconference start to the season with eight wins in 10 games, opens West Coast Conference play on Saturday when it hosts San Francisco at Torero Stadium at 7 p.m.
 
Moving up two spots in this week's national poll, the Toreros (8-1-1) are unbeaten in their last four games, going 3-0-1. In its last game, USD knocked off #23 West Virginia 4-1 on the road – its first ranked win since 2015 and most goals in a game in three years.
 
The Dons (2-6-1) enter Saturday without a win in their last four games, but are coming off a scoreless draw against Cal Poly on September 30. San Francisco is 0-5 in road matches this year as it has been outscored 21-2 in those contests.
 
Here is this week's Starting XI preview:
 
I - GAME INFO
vs. San Francisco (2-6-1)
Saturday, October 12 | 7 p.m.
Torero Stadium
Alumni Night
 
II - HOW TO WATCH
WCC Network
 
III - HOW TO FOLLOW
Live stats
 
IV - SERIES HISTORY
USD and San Francisco are tied in the all-time series, 21-21-3. Despite the tie, the Toreros have not beaten the Dons in four straight meetings, going 0-3-1 since 2015. The last win for USD was November 9, 2014 in San Francisco (W, 2-1).
 
V – NATIONALLY RANKED
After cracking the top-25 for the first time in nearly six years, the Toreros moved up to No. 23 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 in this week's rankings. It is the first time since November 2009 that USD appeared in consecutive top-25 polls. In other national rankings, USD ranked as high as No. 20 (Top Drawer Soccer) as well as checked in at No. 25 (College Soccer News).
 
VI – 10-GAME START
The Toreros' 8-1-1 start to the season is their best since 2002 when they started 9-1-0. The eight wins are already more than last year's season total of seven and most in a campaign since 2017.
 
VII – SEASON GOALS
The Toreros' hot start to the year is fueled by an offensive attack that has scored 20 goals in 10 games, including three games of 3+ goals. Last year, USD scored 16 goals in 19 contests. The 20 goals are the most since 2017 when it had 28 in 17 games while the 3+ goal games are the most since 2016 (4).
 
VIII – OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING
For the sixth time in 10 games this season, senior Miguel Berry scored a goal and helped the Toreros beat #23 West Virginia, 4-1. Berry has matched his career-high for goals in a season (8) already and is tied for 14th in the country in total goals and 15th in goals per game (0.8). Berry, who is also tied for fourth in USD history with 29 career goals, is tied for eighth in the nation with a personal-best 21 points.
 
CAREER GOALS – USD HISTORY
1. Guillermo Jara (1992-95) – 51
2. Ryan Coiner (1999-02) – 49
3. Patrick Wallen (2009-12) –30
4. Miguel Berry (2016-current) & Doug Barry (1991-94) – 29
 
IX – DISTRIBUTION OF OFFENSE
While Berry leads the team with eight goals, he is also one of eight different Toreros with a goal this year and one of 14 with a point. Freddy Polzer, who has a goal in each of the last two games, is second on the team with a career-high-tying three goals while Ross Meldrum, Jimmy Ryan and Jacob Planell each have two. Last year, eight Toreros had a goal but only two (Berry, Aaron Frey) had multiple goals.
 
X – BACK TO THE WCC
The Toreros, who were picked to finish third in the preseason coaches poll, start their 31st season in the WCC with Saturday's game. Last year, USD finished conference play with a 3-1-3 record and fourth place finish. The Toreros are eight-time conference champions (Last: 2014).
 
XI – UP NEXT
The Toreros jump back into nonconference play with a road matchup at UCLA on October 17.