SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Diego men's soccer program (9-4-3, 3-1-1 WCC) recorded a key victory to move into first place in the WCC, downing Santa Clara (5-7-3, 3-1-1 WCC), 2-1 on Saturday night at Stevens Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In what would prove to be a fierce battle for the top of the WCC, it was Santa Clara who started the game quickly.
- The Broncos nearly scored the game's opening goal, as Martin Kwende Jr., hit the crossbar in the 19th minute.
- The Toreros would begin to find their attacking rhythm late in the first half and were ultimately rewarded for their efforts.
- Mason Tunbridge slipped a pass through the defense to Rhys Gourdie, who reached the touch line, before he sent it into the middle of the six-yard-box.
- Gourdie's ground pass was tipped by a Santa Clara defender off the feet of their goalkeeper, right to an open Cesar Bahena, who tapped in the goal to give San Diego a 1-0 edge in the 36th minute.
- Action picked up again in the second half, as Samy Kanaan used some strong footwork, before finding Tunbridge in the box, who hit a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper to extend the lead to 2-0 in the 49th minute.
- Both sides recorded some additional chances, but the Toreros would maintain their steady back line for much of the evening.
- The Toreros were forced to sit back in the 76th minute, as Owen Walz was assessed a red card, forcing the Toreros to play shorthanded for the last 14 minutes.
- Santa Clara scored their first goal of the game with just seven seconds left, but the Toreros safely held onto their advantage.
TORERO TIDBITS
- San Diego now has their most wins since the 2019 season.
- Bahena now has five points in two career games against Santa Clara.
- Luis Ludosan made three saves in net to record his eighth win of the season.
NEXT UP
The Toreros are back in action a week from now, hosting Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 4. The game will start at 7 p.m., and be streamed via ESPN Plus.
To stay up to date with Toreros men's soccer, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDmsoccer".