MORAGA, Calif. – No. 16 San Diego was held to four shots on goal and surrendered three first-half goals on Sunday, losing 3-0 at No. 9 Saint Mary's in a key West Coast Conference match at Saint Mary's Stadium.
The Toreros (10-2-1, 1-1 WCC), who scored four goals in each of their last three games, were shut out for the first time this season after being limited to nine shots overall, including the four on goal. The total shots matched their second-lowest in a game this year while the shots on goal tied for their fewest.
The Gaels (11-1-0, 2-0 WCC), meanwhile, scored their goals on the feet of three different players in the first 43 minutes of the game as they controlled the first half. James Person opened the scoring in the 13th minute following a corner kick, preceding goals by Joseph Restani (33') and Lucas Andrews (43').
In the first half, Saint Mary's had 12 shots, including six on goal. It finished with 17 total shots (seven on goal).
The loss for the Toreros was their first in six road matches this season (5-1). It also snapped their three-game winning streak and five-game unbeaten streak in conference action dating back to last season.
The battle of two 10-win teams was controlled early by the Gaels as they had four shots, three on goal, in the first 12 minutes. The quartet of shots was highlighted by Person's goal off a set piece. The defender gathered a loose ball and finished the close touch near the left post to make it 1-0.
Saint Mary's nearly made it a 2-0 deficit for the Toreros when an odd-man advantage resulted in a shot that sailed over the net in the 27th minute.
The Gaels persisted, though, when a USD turnover following an errant pass by
Aaron Frey at midfield created a one-on-one opportunity in the Gaels' attacking third. Restani beat the USD defender to take a low turnaround shot that made its way past goalkeeper
Matt Wiher in the 33rd minute.
USD fell behind 3-0 in the 43rd minute when a lucky bounce on a long ball found the foot of Andrews, who softly banked it in on an empty net.
The Toreros out-shot the Gaels in the second half, 6-5, but the three shots on goal were all denied by Saint Mary's goalkeeper Remi Prieur. The keeper finished with four saves in the shutout.
The Toreros return home for their next two conference matches, starting with a matchup against Gonzaga on Saturday at 7 p.m.
NOTES
The Toreros dropped to 1-1 against teams ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 this season.
Miguel Berry had his five-game point streak snapped.
George West led the Toreros with three shots.
Paul Ramlow was the only other Torero to have more than one shot.
