SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's soccer program (0-2, 0-0 WCC) heads back out on the road for another matchup with a Big West opponent, traveling north to face UC Irvine (1-1, 0-0 Big West) on Thursday at 6 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Toreros mounted a late rally attempt but fell in a 2-0 decision to Long Beach State in their home opener on Sunday.
- Ilise Medrano tallied five saves in goal for the second consecutive game.
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 at the university 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.
- Evans has been the leader in shot output thus far, tallying five shots in her first two games.
- 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 has had recent success against UC Irvine and leads the all-time series 11-8-1, winning the last meeting, 1-0 in 2022.
- Despite the losses, the Toreros limited both of their opponents to less shots than the previous matchups from last season and 2022.
- Thursday is the third 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
Thursday'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".
