Samy at Gonzaga
Gonzaga Athletics
2
Winner San Diego USD (8-1-2, 2-0-0)
1
Gonzaga GON (6-4-2, 0-2-0)
Winner
San Diego USD
(8-1-2, 2-0-0)
2
Final
1
Gonzaga GON
(6-4-2, 0-2-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
San Diego USD 1 1 2
Gonzaga GON 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Bahena's Late Goal Pushes No. 13 San Diego Past Gonzaga

SPOKANE, Wash. — After falling behind early in the match, the No. 13 San Diego men's soccer team (8-1-2, 2-0-0 WCC) earned a 2-1 road victory over Gonzaga (6-4-2, 0-2-0 WCC) on Friday evening at Luger Field. 

Leading the charge for the Toreros was a first half goal from Oliver Rhoades, followed by the game-winner in the 85th minute from Cesar Bahena to keep USD a perfect 4-0 away from Torero Stadium this season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

  • San Diego got off to a strong start pushing the ball and creating chances as they earned the game's first corner kick just one minute into the contest. 
  • The Toreros didn't waste much time recording their first shot of the evening as Bahena displayed some fancy footwork before a nice save from the Bulldogs' goalkeeper kept the match scoreless early.
  • Both defenses were strong throughout the next 25 minutes of play before Gonzaga scored the game's first goal in the 30th minute as Talan Rochelle found the back of the net to give the Bulldogs the lead.
  • Waiting only about 10 minutes to answer back, the Toreros were on the attack as Jack Sandmeyer delivered a quality on-time feed to Rhoades who snuck it past the diving Gonzaga keeper to even the match at one apiece.
  • USD had one last shot at the end of the first half as Steven Ramirez's shot was just wide of the cage in the final seconds as the game remained level at the break. 
  • The second half was a defensive struggle throughout with each team's back line working hard to take away scoring opportunities and USD excelling at maintaining possession trying to break through.
  • San Diego came up just short on a pair of quality looks in the 77th minute as Samy Kanaan and Bahena each recorded on target shots that the Bulldogs were able to corral and maintain the tie.
  • Extending extra pressure on Gonzaga in the final 10 minutes, the Toereros were able to push across the go-ahead goal as Bahena collected a ricochet off Rhoades' shot on goal and scored with an exquisite bicycle kick to beat the Bulldogs's keeper to put USD ahead 2-1 late. 
  • Gonzaga worked to try and push across the equalizer but the ball rolled outside the park as the Toreros' keeper Donovan Parisian recorded a goal kick and USD earned their first road win of WCC play. 

TORERO TIDBITS

  • USD out-shot Gonzaga by a 13-3 margin, with the Toreros recording nine shots on goal Friday night. 
  • Bahena had one of his strongest performances of the season with a team-high five shots (four of them were shots on goal) and came through in the clutch with the game winner.  
  • Rhoades continued his stellar season with two shots and a goal as he now ranks third on the Toreros with three goals in 2024. 
  • Sandmeyer came through with his second assist of the season as he set up Rhoades beautifully for the equalizing goal in the first half. 

UP NEXT
The Toreros will now enjoy a much needed week off before returning home to Torero Stadium to host Santa Clara on Thursday, Oct. 17 for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. Live streaming and live video links can be found through the team's website. 

Print Friendly Version