SAN DIEGO — San Diego men's soccer returns to the field for the first time in more than a week on Friday night, hosting Gonzaga as it begins West Coast Conference play at Torero Stadium.

Friday's game, which is set to begin at 7 p.m., will be broadcast live on the WCC Network with Callan McClurg on the call, and live stats will be available on USDToreros.com.

ALL-TIME SERIES VERSUS GONZAGA
The Toreros are 29-8-2 against the Bulldogs all-time, with the two programs' most recent meeting coming in April of 2021, a 2-1 San Diego win in Spokane as part of the 2020 (Spring 2021) campaign.

USD is 18-4 versus Gonzaga all-time at Torero Stadium, a span that includes 10 straight wins from 2006-2017.

San Diego has outscored Gonzaga 93-42 in its 39-match history with the Bulldogs, which dates back to 1992.

LAST TIME OUT
Marley Mascarenas tied a season high with five saves and Luke Pardoe scored for the second game in a row, but USD dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to crosstown opponent UC San Diego at Torero Stadium last time out as it concluded non-conference play.

Pardoe gave USD a 1-0 lead early in the second half when he scored in 53rd minute, an unassisted effort that found the left section of the goal. Five minutes later, the Tritons tied it with a goal from Nick Cirrito in the 58th minute.

UC San Diego pulled ahead in the 67th minute when Cooper Lachenbruch scored on a penalty kick to secure the 2-1 win for his team.

Rhys Gourdie led the way for USD with three shots, including one on goal. Nicklas Clausen and Robert Webb had two shots, and Owen Wiebe, Ross Johnstone, Pardoe, and Danny Orozco all had a single shot.

PARDOE HEATING UP
Freshman Luke Pardoe has been leading the San Diego offense as of late, tallying goals in each of his last two games.

Against CSU Fullerton on September 19, the Southampton, England native gave the Toreros an early lead with a goal in the 22nd minute, then put his team up by a score with a 53rd-minute strike against crosstown opponent UC San Diego at Torero Stadium on September 22.

For the season, Pardoe ranks second on the team with two goals, eight shots, and five shots on goal.

CLAUSEN LEADING THE WAY
Sophomore Nicklas Clausen has been the Toreros' most dynamic player on offense thus far in 2021, with 21 shots, 11 shots on goal, 4 goals, and one assist through USD's eight total games.

The Denmark native scored twice in the Toreros' 2-0 win over CSU Bakersfield on Sept. 10, finding the back of the net in the 13th and 77th minutes.