SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's soccer program (0-1, 0-0 WCC) returns home for the first time in 2024, hosting Long Beach State (0-1, 0-0 Big West) in their home opener on Sunday at 1 p.m., at Torero Stadium.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Toreros dropped their season opener at Cal State Fullerton, falling 3-0 on Thursday night.
NEW BEGINNINGS
- The Toreros enter the 2024 campaign under a new head coach, as Greg LaPorte makes his regular season debut at the helm.
- LaPorte joined the Toreros back in December and spent several years as an assistant coach under former head coach Ada Greenwood before going to UC San Diego.
- Joining LaPorte are assistants with connections to the school, as former Torero Jackie Altschuld and former men's player Matt Hall help round out LaPorte's staff.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- San Diego features a new look lineup in 2024, welcoming in 17 newcomers, both as transfers and freshmen.
- Key returners include 2023's leading scorer Lexi Zandonella-Arasa, who returns to anchor the offense alongside Sara Evans and Mikayla Abrenica.
- Anchoring the back are returners Katie Baxter and Jenn Hashimoto, as well as several talented defensive-minded newcomers, including My Haugland Sørsdahl (UCLA), Molly Quarry (Montana) and Margaret Rabbitt (George Washington)
- Several incoming freshmen boast tremendous pedigrees, including wing back Ella Callanan, who earned a first team training invite with Portland Thorns FC's first team this season.
TORERO TIDBITS
- San Diego is 12-5-4 in the all-time series against the Beach, with a thrilling 2-2 draw coming in the last meeting 2022.
- Evans is closing in on her 50th collegiate game, needing just one more appearance.
- Saturday is the second of a stretch of six games against the Big West Conference in 2024, including all four of the first games of the season.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Sunday's match will be streamed via ESPN Plus, with live stats available via statbroadcast. To stay up to date with Toreros women's soccer, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDwsoccer".
