SAN DIEGO — With a return back into the top 25 after an incredible comeback, the No. 13/25 San Diego men's soccer team (4-1-1, 0-0-0 WCC) finished a statement 3-1 victory over last season's Big West conference runner-ups UC Santa Barbara (2-3-0, 0-0-0 BW) on a Wednesday night from Torero Stadium.

USD pressed heavily tonight, especially for their first goal when sophomore forward Devin Zachry stole the ball from the Gaucho goalkeeper in the six yard box scoring his first USD goal tapping in the lead for San Diego. Iain Wagner tacked on a second goal just before halftime on an assist from Steven Ramirez to end the half. Lucca Adams received his first collegiate start in Wednesday's victory as he allowed just one goal against a quality opponent. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Quickly into the game, Cesar Bahena stole the ball from center back in the second minute, forcing a kick save from the goalie in the bottom right corner nearly breaking the scoreless tie.
• In the eighth minute with the Toreros pressing high, the Gaucho defender played a short pass back to the goalkeeper in which forward Zachry stole from the goalie in the six-yard box tapping in his first collegiate goal for a 1-0 USD lead.
• Vincente Ayala used his head to intercept a ball in the midfield in the 20th minute playing Zachry through on goal which led to another kick stop from the opposing keeper.
• Josh Martinez then rifled a shot with his left foot after a long ball from the backfield in the 27th minute that barely whistled over the net.
• After a spell of possession trading back and forth, a cross from the midfield to Noah James was headed over to Ramirez who was between a pair of Gaucho defenders before laying it off to Wagner who rocketed an insurance goal for the Toreros through the middle of the net for a 2-0 lead going into halftime.
• On a UC Santa Barbara free kick, a looping cross into the box was headed in for the Gauchos to cut the lead in half to 2-1 in the 54th minute.
• At the 80th minute mark, the Gaucho defender was shielding the ball for the goalkeeper to pick it up when Bahena stole the ball and laid it off to Oliver Rhoades, who earned the assist when his shot was cleared off the line to Ramirez who smashed in his second goal of the season.
• The Torero defense held strong in the final 10 minutes as they earned their fourth win in a row and remain perfect at Torero Stadium in 2025. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• San Diego has not stopped winning since their first victory of the season, with tonight marking their fourth consecutive victory and first against UCSB since 2017. 
• A pair of USD starting 11 debuts took the field as Adams made his collegiate debut and Zachry made his Torero start, and scored his first goal in a Torero uniform. 
• Both Ramirez and Wagner scored their second goals of the season.
• With 13 shots tonight, the Toreros have accumulated at least 10 shots in the last four matches, and five out of their six matches this season.

POST GAME WITH THE TOREROS

• To view the post game media session with head coach Brian Quinn as well as student-athletes Devin Zachry and Steven Ramirez, please click here. 

UP NEXT
The Toreros look to continue their strong start at home as they will take on Kansas City (2-1-3, 0-0-0 Summit League) on Saturday, September 13 at Torero Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. home at Torero Stadium for Catholic Schools Day. Live video, live statistics and ticket links can be found via the team's schedule page.