PORTLAND, Ore. - The Toreros (8-9-1, 4-5 WCC) capped off the 2019 season with a 1-0 victory against Portland (6-5-5, 2-3-3 WCC) on Saturday night. With this win, San Diego ties its conference record from 2018.
"It feels fantastic to win tonight for the seniors to go out feeling this way, especially on the road," said head coach
Louise Lieberman. "We've had a rough road this year, and I'm happy we ended this way."
Two seniors led the way for the Toreros tonight with
Amber Michel once again coming through in net for her third shutout of the year.
The San Diego native recorded four saves off 22 shots faced, now ranking her first and second all-time in the single-season record mark. Michel finishes the year one save shy of tying the benchmark she set back in 2017 with 95 total on the season.
Midfielder
Milan Moses proved to be potent in the midfield, getting four shots off in the first period with three on target. All three shots on goal were saved by Portland's keeper Madison Zamora.
After tonight's game, Moses now ranks in the top 10 in the single-season record for shots (60) tying Michelle Kennedy (1996). The midfielder also climbs more career records, now ranking sixth all-time in shots (119) and fourth all-time in goals (22).
"This entire group of seniors have helped us build for the future," said Lieberman. "All of their work does not go unnoticed. They are unique and special, and we are going to miss them immensely."
"I feel so privileged to have coached every single one of them during my time here at San Diego."
Portland and San Diego fought for possession the entire first half as
Sami Fairweather got a shot off early in the first before Moses took control up the midfield.
In the 75th minute, the Toreros broke through on a set piece off a corner by
Michaela Foster. San Diego crowded the box and forced Portland's goalkeeper to make a play, causing an own-goal to give USD the lead 1-0.
The Toreros would hold for the remainder of the half as Portland looked to create opportunities in the final seconds.
Next season, San Diego will return a wealth of experience with 11 upperclassmen and three freshmen who started most of the 2019 season.
