SAN DIEGO — San Diego men's soccer (15-3-2, 7-1 WCC) dropped a tough 1-0 decision to Vermont (14-2-5, 4-1-2 America East) on Sunday evening at Torero Stadium, ending the program's immensely successful 2024 season in the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament. 

The two teams forced overtime after a 0-0 finish in regulation time, before the Catamounts were awarded a penalty kick 30 seconds into overtime that they converted to win the game.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• San Diego started off the first half strong, dominating possession as the Catamounts sat back and played defensively. 
• Cesar Bahena nearly put USD in front in the 22nd minute when he launched a shot towards the top right of the goal, but a great save from the Vermont goalkeeper kept it scoreless.
• The Toreros continued to dominate possession in the first half but could not convert any chances to put them ahead. 
• Both teams turned up the energy in the second half and put the pressure on, but neither team was able to put one away.
• Luca Fava fired in a shot disguised as a cross in the 66th minute that was barely saved by the Catamount keeper, and then bounced on the goal line but did not go all the way in. 
• Neither team's defense let up throughout the remainder of regulation, as Sunday evening's contest headed to overtime.
• 30 seconds into the first overtime period, Vermont earned a penalty which they converted to give them the immediate win in the golden goal format. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• The Toreros played in front of a record crowd of 3,227 people, which was good for the largest crowd of the season.  
• The Toreros were the last remaining west coast team left in the NCAA Tournament. 

CATCHING UP WITH THE TOREROS

• To view tonight's post game interview with USD head coach Brian Quinn, freshman midfielder Luca Fava, and senior defender Ethan Warne, please click here.

WHAT IT MEANS
After being projected to finish third in the 2024 WCC preseason poll, USD men's soccer dominated its regular season schedule, losing just two games (one in conference) to finish 7-1 in the WCC and earn its third straight West Coast Conference title. With a final record of 15-3-2, and 7-1 in conference play, the Toreros posted the most wins in program history since 2000, and reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in program history, making it the best finish since 2014. 
Individually, the Toreros claimed the WCC Coach of the Year, WCC Goalkeeper of the Year, four WCC First Team awards, one WCC Second Team award, two WCC Honorable Mentions, and two WCC All Freshman Team awards. 

In 2024, USD also achieved the following with head coach Brian Quinn at the helm for the seventh season:

• San Diego's 15 wins in 2024 marks the program's most since 2000.
• Won the WCC regular season title for the third season in a row.
• Was the longest lasting west coast program in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. 
• Won a tough road victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament over Duke.
• Allowed just 14 goals through the entirety of the 2024 season, and earned ten total shutout victories. 

The Toreros will resume their pursuit of a fourth straight West Coast Conference Championship next fall.