SAN DIEGO — Nicklas Clausen scored a pair of goals, goalkeeper Marley Mascarenas put together a shutout, and San Diego men's soccer (1-4-0, 0-0-0 WCC) won its first match of the 2021 season, taking down CSU Bakersfield (0-4-1, 0-0-0 Big West) by a 2-0 margin on Friday evening at Torero Stadium.

"I think we were gritty," USD head coach Brian Quinn said after full time was reached. "We put a lot of effort into defending this week, and we tried to get that part of the game right."

Clausen got things started for the Toreros in the 13th minute, finding the low right section of the goal after assists from Ross Johnstone and Michael Barrow to make it a 1-0 contest. He doubled his teams's lead and his goal total for the night in the game's second half, scoring on a penalty kick at the 76:01 mark.

"(I was) pleased," the fourth-year head coach said of Clausen's performance. "Coming into this year we tasked Nicklas with — for us to be successful he'd have to score. Forwards, that's what they live for."

Mascarenas enjoyed his best game of the season to date versus CSU Bakersfield, recording three saves as he posted the shutout.

"I'm so happy for Marley Mascarenas," Quinn said of his goalkeeper. "I think he was more aggressive tonight than he has been…he made his presence felt."

Clausen led the way for the Toreros with five shots (four on goal), Jake Schneider posted three shots, and Owen Wiebe notched a shot on goal.

"It never gets old winning games," Quinn added. "I just shared with them that it doesn't matter what level you've played. Winning games is exciting."

USD is back in action on Sunday afternoon at Torero Stadium against UC Davis. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.