CORVALLIS, Ore. — Playing for all the marbles on the road, the No. 7 San Diego men's soccer team (13-2-3, 7-1-1 WCC) secured their fourth straight West Coast Conference title by taking down No. 10 Oregon State (10-4-2, 6-1-2 WCC) by a 4-2 final score on Saturday night at Paul Lorenz Field.
San Diego became the first WCC men's soccer program to win four consecutive conference titles after slamming the door on the Beavers Saturday night.
Iain Wagner, Josh Martinez and Steven Ramirez each scored key goals in the victory, as the Toreros scored three times in the second half against a top ten opponent.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was a beautiful cool evening in the Pacific Northwest as the rain stayed away with the WCC title on the line.
- Oregon State was able to get off to a fast start on their home pitch as they scored just two minutes into the match for an early 1-0 lead.
- Responding quickly after the early deficit, the Toreros answered with a key goal from Wagner who fired a shot off the Beaver defender's leg and found the back of the net to level the match at one.
- At the 24 minute mark, OSU was able to get off a pair of shots but the Torero defense held strong, recording a pair of team saves.
- A few minutes later, Noah James would get a good look and fire a shot but couldn't get it on target as the match remained level heading into the half.
- Coming out of the half, Ramirez created a great chance for his team but a nice save from the OSU keeper thwarted the opportunity.
- Taking their first lead of the match, Martinez delivered a fantastic ball off of a corner kick into the box and it ricocheted off Ramirez's foot into a Beaver defender and found the back of the net as USD lead 2-1 at the 61st minute mark.
- Oregon State would answer late in the match as they scored in the 81st minute mark following a nice through ball as the game was even at two with under 10 minutes remaining.
- Taking very little time to regain the lead, a Beaver yellow card set up USD with a free kick just outside the 18 yard box. Martinez stepped up and delivered a rocket in the top left portion of the net as San Diego led 3-2 in the 82nd minute.
- After playing some impressive defense to limit any potential Oregon State chances, the Toreros would put the game away with strong team play.
- Wagner stole the ball from the Oregon State midfielder and dribbled down the pitch drawing an extra defender. After the Beavers committed to stopping Wagner, he laid the ball off beautifully to Ramirez who put it home in the 89th minute and helped San Diego make history with their 4-2 victory.
TORERO TIDBITS
UP NEXT
San Diego now turns their attention to the 2025 NCAA Tournament selection show, scheduled for Monday November 17 at 10:00 a.m PST. To view the 2025 selection show, the USD program is hosting a public watch party in the Warren Room of the Jenny Craig Pavilion, or the full show can be found via the NCAA's men's soccer page.
