SAN DIEGO — Returning to the pitch after 13 days off, the San Diego men's soccer team (9-1-2, 3-0-0 WCC) earned a 2-1 victory over Santa Clara on Thursday evening at Torero Stadium.
Making his Torero debut on Thursday, Inigo Villaldea scored a key goal at the end of the first half, while Cesar Bahena scored his seventh goal of the year in the second half to propel USD to their third straight win in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Getting the action started under the lights on Thursday night was the Toreros' offense as Samy Kanaan fired the first shot of the game three minutes into the match.
- USD's offense didn't relent the rest of the first half as they kept generating chances and played fundamental defense to limit the Broncos' attack.
- Mathias Bauer fired USD's 10th shot of the first half that was collected by Santa Clara's keeper.
- Doing a tremendous job throughout defensively, USD's keeper Donovan Parisian came up with an impressive one-handed save at the 44 minute mark to keep the Broncos off the scoreboard.
- Villadela would then deliver a back-breaking goal with just two seconds left in the first half as both Trevor Dillon and Bauer delivered quality balls to earn the assist and make it 1-0 San Diego.
- Coming out of the break, USD didn't wait long to tack on to their lead, as Bahena used some fancy footwork to sneak a shot past the Broncos' defense to put the Toreros ahead 2-0 at the 64 minute mark.
- Santa Clara would go on to respond a few minutes later as they scored on a penalty kick in the 71st minute to cut USD's lead down to 2-1.
- Both sides had chances to add on but couldn't find the back of the net as San Diego came away with the 2-1 victory on their home field as they improved to 3-0 in West Coast Conference action.
TORERO TIDBITS
- San Diego's first half goal by Villaldea was the first goal Santa Clara had allowed this month.
- Bauer recorded a new career-high with a pair of assists as he recorded his first pair of collegiate points against the Broncos.
- Bahena scored for the seventh time this season as he's now tied for the WCC lead in goals scored during the 2024 season.
CATCHING UP WITH THE TOREROS
UP NEXT
The Toreros will be back in action at home next Saturday as they welcome Oregon State to Torero Stadium on Oct. 26 for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. Live streaming and live video links can be found through the team's website.
