SEATTLE — No. 18 San Diego opened the 2026 season with one of the biggest wins in program history Thursday night, taking a 2-0 lead over No. 1 Washington before holding on for a 2-1 result over the defending national champions in front of 1,801 at Husky Soccer Stadium.
It was the fifth win over a No. 1 team in Torero history and the first of the
Brian Quinn era. USD's last came on Sept. 26, 2014, a 1-0 decision over top-ranked UCLA in front of a program-record crowd of 4,432 at Torero Stadium. Quinn's previous best win by ranking also came in Seattle — a 2-0 result over No. 6 Washington at Husky Soccer Stadium in 2023.
The Toreros needed just 10 minutes to get in front. A smart defensive play from
Samy Kanaan to create a scoring chance for
Steven Ramirez forced a goal-line clearance from a Washington defender in the 10th minute, before it ricocheted back to the top of the box and found
Taj Eagleston, who buried it to give USD an early 1-0 lead.
Oliver Rhoades nearly doubled it in the 40th minute, ringing a shot off the left post.
Washington controlled possession for much of the half and forced five corner kicks to USD's one, but
Lucca Adams saved both shots he faced on frame and the Toreros carried the lead to the break.
The insurance arrived seven minutes into the second half, and it came from a corner. The service was played to the near post, where
Samy Kanaan got a flick on it and steered the ball towards to the back post.
Devin Dillon was waiting inside the box and finished at 52:13 for a 2-0 lead — a goal from a starting center back who logged all 90 minutes.
The Huskies pulled one back in the 75th minute, and Washington had its best look at an equalizer three minutes later with a shot that struck the crossbar. Adams denied another shot in the 79th minute, and the Huskies did not register another shot the rest of the way.
Adams, the reigning WCC Goalkeeper of the Year, finished with four saves against 16 Washington shots and 11 corner kicks. The Torero back line of Dillon,
Lucien Wa Bwanda and
Mathias Bauer went the full 90 in front of him, as did midfielder
Noah James.
San Diego was ruthless with what it got: two goals on four shots on target, and six shots in the match total. Washington was whistled for four yellow cards, including one to the bench in the 68th minute, to USD's two.
The Toreros move to 1-0. Washington falls to 0-1.
UP NEXT
San Diego returns to Torero Stadium for its home opener on Sunday, hosting Liberty at 5 p.m.
