Toreros fall short at home

Despite changes, men’s soccer extends losing streak to three matches this season

Mari Olson / Sports Editor / The USD Vista

Coach Brian Quinn made four changes to his starting lineup as the University of San Diego’s men’s soccer team faced the University of California, Riverside Highlanders on Friday night at Torero Stadium. 

USD juniors Jake Schneider and Praise Maduekwe, senior Paul Ramlow, and first-year Leo Reynisson started for a Torero side looking for a win after two consecutive losses to start the season. 

UC Riverside arrived in San Diego with a 2-0 record on their season so far, scoring five goals in two games. USD is 6-2-2 all-time against the Highlanders. 

Friday’s game was 0-0 at halftime, with the best chance of the half coming from a breakaway by USD forward Schneider that was stopped on the goal line by a Highlander defender. 

USD endured a nerve-racking final minute of the first half. They saw their own goal-line clearance made as the ball ricocheted around senior goalkeeper Marley Mascarenas’ 18-yard box. The defense did its job and kept the ball out of the net to keep the scoreline at zeroes at the half.

The Toreros couldn’t keep out the Highlanders for the full 90 minutes. Riverside’s senior defender Jonick Pineda scored in the 58th minute and junior midfielder Caio Guazzelli doubled the lead in the 83rd to seal the win for Riverside by a score of 2-0. 

Mascarenas made five saves off Riverside’s seven shots on target, and both teams’ defense kept the game locked into the middle of the pitch for most of the match. 

Quinn made seven substitutions over the course of the game to inject new energy into his side. USD first-year midfielder Markus Jonsson, USD senior forward Cameron Kaemerle, and USD first-year defenders Robert Webb and Ari Sirvent all made appearances on the field. 

USD senior defender and team captain, Michael Barrow, stayed positive after the game.

“It was the best game of our three games, we could’ve obviously played better but we’re going in the right direction,” Barrow said. 

Barrow admitted that the team would have liked to see the first win of the season against the Highlanders. 

“We didn’t get the result we wanted but our performance wasn’t too bad, just some sloppy plays at the wrong time to give away the goals,” Barrow shared. 

The Toreros moved on to play California Baptist away on Monday, Sept. 6. Barrow was optimistic about the upcoming challenge. 

“Cal Baptist is a good team but we’re hoping to go there and get the win, the first win of the season, and push on from there,” Barrow said.

USD lost that game 2-1 Monday evening.

He also talked about the importance of forgetfulness. 

“We need to have a short memory after this game,” Barrow said. 

Barrow led his teammates into Monday’s game with that exact mindset. 

“Tomorrow’s a new day and we have new opportunities, and we go again,” Barrow reiterated.

The Toreros will be back at home on Friday, Sept. 10 against CSU Bakersfield.