SAN DIEGO – The San Diego men's soccer team (13-2-2, 7-1 WCC) is back in the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row, as they will host UC Davis (10-5-6, 4-3-2 Big West) in a first round match up on Thursday Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m. from Torero Stadium.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Toreros clinched their third consecutive WCC Title in their regular season finale at LMU in a 1-0 victory at Sullivan Field.
- San Diego scored their lone goal of the night right at the end of the first half as Samy Kanaan found the back of the net for the ninth time this season.
- Starting in goal for USD, Donovan Parisian picked up his sixth clean sheet of the season while recording one save in the win against the Lions.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- San Diego is feeling good heading into the postseason after a 13-win campaign that saw them lose just twice over a four month span.
- Entering Thursday night's matchup, the Toreros have an all-time record of 13-15-1 in the NCAA Tournament.
- Nationally, San Diego is currently tied for 13th in the country in goal differential at +20 for the 2024 season.
- USD dominated the 2024 WCC Awards as Brian Quinn earned his second WCC Coach of the Year honors, while goalkeeper Donovan Parisian was named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year.
- Four San Diego student-athletes were All-WCC First Team Selections: Cesar Bahena, Samy Kanaan, Donovan Parisian and Ethan Warne. Jack Sandmeyer was also named to the All-WCC Second Team.
- After making the All-Freshman team last season, both Steven Ramirez and Oliver Rhoades were picked as All-WCC Honorable Mentions.
- Excelling in their first collegiate seasons, both Mathias Bauer and Luca Fava were picked to the All-WCC Freshman Team to wrap up USD's 2024 conference awards.
FINAL NOTES
- San Diego has not lost a game this season where they've scored at least one goal, as both of the team's losses were scoreless against Cal State Fullerton and Portland.
- One of the most clutch players in the nation, Kanaan is currently tied for third in the nation with his five game-winning goals this season. Bahena is just one goal behind with ties him for 35th in the country.
- The Toreros will need to do what they can to limit forward Cason Goodman, who has scored 11 goals this season to lead his team. Goodman scored two times against WCC opponent Saint Mary's when the Aggies beat the Gaels back in September.
- In goal, UC Davis is expected to start Noah Schwengeler who has four clean sheets on the season and has recorded a total of 48 saves and allowed a total of 19 goals this year.
- The Toreros have yet to trail at halftime in any match this season, and are 7-0-1 when leading at the break.
To stay up to date with Toreros men's soccer, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDmsoccer".
