IRVINE — An early goal from sophomore Oliver Rhoades combined with a clutch penalty save from Luis Ludosan helped San Diego men's soccer (4-0-2) take down UC Irvine (1-4-1) by a 1-0 mark on Friday night at Anteater Stadium, allowing the Toreros to remain undefeated in 2024 as they continue non-conference play. 

After Cesar Bahena connected with Rhoades on a cross in the seventh minute to secure an early 1-0 lead for USD, the Anteaters were not able to find the back of the net through the remainder of the contest. Ludosan excelled by earning his second clean sheet of the year (8/26 vs. San Diego State) with four total saves, including a clutch penalty save in the 75th minute to prevent an Anteaters' equalizer. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Toreros wasted little time to start Friday evening's match, as they dominated possession early. 
• Bahena found himself open on the wing in the seventh minute and whipped an in-swinging ball over the box to find a streaking Rhoades at the back post, who finished the cross with an acrobatic finish to put the Toreros up 1-0 early.
• Bahena then found Samy Kanaan running down the middle with a sneaky backheel pass that allowed Kanaan to find his way into the box and have a good look at goal in the 22nd minute, but the shot was blocked by an Anteater defender to keep San Diego from extending its lead midway through the first half. 
• UCI finished the half out with its first shot on goal of the game, but the shot was easily saved by Ludosan, as he was able to catch the shot to keep the Anteaters off the board and maintain his teams 1-0 lead as the game headed into halftime. 
• The second half started off slow, as both teams were not able to gain any momentum through the first 25 minutes of the second period. 
• After sitting back and slowing the game down to start the second half, USD got its first goal-scoring chance in the 73rd minute when Iain Wagner unleashed a shot from outside the box that rattled off the crossbar, but could not find the back of the net to keep the score at 1-0 Toreros.
• The Anteaters had their best chance at an equalizer in the 75th minute when they were drew a penalty after a foul in the box, but Ludosan was able to stop UCI midfielder Mario Anaya's penalty shot for a clutch save to keep his clean sheet and prevent the Anteater equalizer. 
• UCI had a chance to equalize again in the final ten minutes, but the Torero defense did not relent, keeping the Anteaters off the board as they earned a 1-0 victory. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• Rhoades' seventh minute goal was his second of the season. 
• Freshman midfielder Taj Eagleston made his USD debut on Friday night. 
• Bahena's cross to Rhoades was his second assist of the season. 
• As a team, San Diego recorded 12 total shots in Friday nights contest.

• To view tonight's post-game interviews with San Diego head coach Brian Quinn and graduate student goalkeeper Luis Ludosan, please click here. 

UP NEXT
The Toreros will remain on the road to continue non-conference play on Monday night as they head to Riverside to take on the California Baptist Lancers for a rematch of their 2023 NCAA postseason matchup. Kick-off at CBU soccer stadium is set for 7 p.m. PST, with live statistics and video links available on the team's website.