Mathias Bauer vs Duke
Ainsley Fauth
1
San Diego USD (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
2
Winner Duke DU (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
San Diego USD
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
1
Final
2
Duke DU
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
San Diego USD 0 1 1
Duke DU 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

No. 9/10 Toreros Come Up Short at No. 15 Duke

DURHAM, N.C. — Kicking off their 2025 campaign on the road Thursday evening, the No. 9/10 San Diego men's soccer team (0-1, 0-0 WCC) fell 2-1 to No. 15 Duke (1-0, 0-0 ACC) from Koskinen Stadium. 

Sophomore Iain Wagner banged home the Toreros' lone goal of the evening in the 88th minute as USD's late rally came up just short in their third meeting against Duke in the last calendar year. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

  • It was a chippy affair from the start on a warm, humid night in North Carolina as the Blue Devils recorded the game's first shot two minutes into the action. 
  • Six minutes later, new San Diego goal keeper Adam Salama recorded his first save as a Torero on the Blue Devils' first attempt on goal Thursday evening. 
  • The Blue Devils were able to get on the scoreboard first as they found the back of the net at the 16 minute mark of the first half. 
  • USD's offense would start to build some momentum as Cesar Bahena and Steven Ramirez each recorded shots within minutes of each other as they tried to even the score. 
  • Despite not breaking through on the scoreboard, the Toreros would put together a pair of late quality attempts in the first half as Samy Kanaan and Noah James each recorded shots before the Blue Devils took their 1-0 lead into the locker room. 
  • Coming out of the half, Salama came up with a key save to stymie the early Duke attack that kept the Toreros' deficit at one goal. 
  • In one of USD's best chances of the evening, Bahena fired a strong shot on goal that was corralled by the Blue Devils' keeper as the Toreros kept searching for the equalizer. 
  • Adding to their lead in the 72nd minute of play, Duke netted their second goal of the evening as they led 2-0 with under 20 minutes left on the clock. 
  • Following a pair of valiant attempts that couldn't find the back of the net, Wagner slid into the box and shot one past the keeper as the Toreros made it a one-goal game with under 90 seconds to play. 
  • Duke was able to hang on to their slight advantage as they picked up the victory on their home field to open the 2025 season. 

TORERO TIDBITS

  • Wagner had a strong season debut off the Torero bench as he played 59 minutes, scored a goal and recorded a pair of shots in Durham. 
  • Bahena led the way for USD with four shots and two shots on goal in his season debut.
  • Salama recorded three saves in his San Diego debut as he faced a total of 11 shots. 
  • Devin Dillon checked in late during Thursday's game as he competed in his collegiate match to begin his sophomore season. 

UP NEXT
The Toreros are back in action in Durham this Sunday, August 24 for a 10:00 a.m. PST kickoff against Furman (1-0, 0-0 Southern) from Koskinen Stadium. Sunday's match will not be streamed, but a live stats link can be found via the team's website. 

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