Weekly Recap

Women’s soccer and volleyball split crosstown rivalry games, men’s soccer wins first of the season

Mari Olson / Sports Editor / The USD Vista
Soccer players from opposing teams, one team in blue and the other in orange, lined up on a field
USD women’s soccer’s starting XI (L) stands with the referees and the SDSU starting lineup for the national anthem before their game on Friday, Sept.10. Photo courtesy of Jarek Morgan. 

Men’s Soccer 

The University of San Diego won 2-0 at home on Friday evening over California State University Bakersfield, recording their first win of the season. This was the first time men’s soccer played CSU Bakersfield.

Sophomore forward, Nicklas Clausen, scored his first two goals of the season to put the Toreros ahead. In the 13th minute, sophomore midfielder, Ross Johnstone, and senior defender, Michael Barrow, assisted Clausen for his first goal of the game. Clausen finished out the evening with a penalty kick goal in the 77th minute. 

Bakersfield recorded 14 shots to the Toreros’ 11, but senior goalkeeper, Marley Mascarenas, was able to make three saves to keep the clean sheet. 

The Torero defense also did its job, helping Mascarenas keep Bakersfield out of the net on 18 corner kicks. 

USD was able to hang on through a very physical game, with 26 fouls from both teams and four yellow cards handed out throughout the match. 

The Toreros also played University of California, Davis at home on Sunday, Sept. 12, but were dealt a 0-3 defeat to the Aggies. The Toreros fell to 1-5 on the season with the loss. 

Men’s soccer continues their season with California State University, Fullerton away on Sunday, Sept. 19. 

Football 

University of San Diego’s football team lined up at home against the 16 ranked University of California, Davis Aggies on Saturday, Sept. 11. This was the ninth match up between the teams since 2006. USD’s record against UC Davis going into the game was 1-7. 

UC Davis scored twice in the first quarter, also converting two, two-point attempts for a score of 0-16 to the Aggies. 

Davis scored once in the second quarter, but didn’t make the two-point conversion, extending their lead to 22 at halftime. 

The Aggies came back from halftime ready to go, and scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to put the Toreros down 0-36. 

Finally, with two minutes left in the third quarter, graduate student and running back, Terrerence Smith, made a one yard carry into the endzone for the Toreros’ first points of the evening. 

Junior kicker, Brandon Eickert, was able to make the extra point on his second attempt after a foul on USD for holding, making the score 7-36 at the end of the third quarter. 

But the Toreros couldn’t stop the onslaught from the Aggies in the fourth. 

Two more touchdowns and a field goal put USD down 7-53 at the final whistle, for their second loss of the season and their sixth loss in a row to UC Davis. 

San Diego football will look to rebound in Bozeman, Montana on Saturday, Sept. 18 against the Montana State University Bobcats.

Volleyball

After a big win at home against University of California, Los Angeles on Thursday evening, the Torero volleyball team made the trip east to San Diego State University (SDSU) on Saturday evening looking to back up their winning performance. 

This was the 20th matchup between the Toreros and the SDSU Aztecs, with the Toreros leading the series going into the match 16-3. 

SDSU took the first set 20-25, but the Toreros were able to make a comeback and take the next three sets 25-20, 25-20, 25-18 for a thrilling 3-1 win over their crosstown rivals. 

Sophomore outside hitter, Kylie Pries, led the team in kills and digs, while fellow sophomore middle blocker Leyla Blackwell led in blocks. 

With the win, The Toreros improve to 5-2 on the season heading into a weekend away. 

USD travels to Los Angeles next week to take on the University of Southern California on Friday, Sept. 17 before continuing on to play Long Beach State University the following day. That game will broadcast on ESPN+ for easy viewing by Torero fans. 

Soccer player wearing blue uniform preparing to kick the ball on the field
USD junior defender Sydney Hopkins looks for a teammate in women’s soccer’s 0-3 loss to  their crosstown rivals. Photo courtesy of Jarek Morgan.

Women’s Soccer

Torero Stadium was packed with blue and white on Friday night as family and friends rooted on the women’s soccer team against San Diego State University. This was the 12th time the rival teams have met.

The Toreros had a record of 4-1 going into the game, showing that they are ready to rise to any challenge.

Before the game, Sydney Hopkins, a junior defender for the Toreros, expressed how ready she and her teammates are for their upcoming schedule.

“We are excited, we are ready, and we can’t wait to go out there and show everyone what we have to offer,” Hopkins said. 

However, the Aztecs proved to be too much for the Toreros to overcome. A hat-trick from SDSU first-year midfielder Denise Castro sealed the loss for USD. Although USD recorded double the amount of shots as SDSU, they couldn’t find a way through and the game ended 0-3. 

While they weren’t able to get the win Friday night, the Toreros showed plenty of heart. It’s clear that they will be battling every match with crisp teamwork and high energy this year. 

The Toreros look to bounce back next week against the University of California, Los Angeles at home on Thursday, Sept. 16.

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