Women’s soccer sweeps Bay Area foes

Kiva Herman / Staff Writer / The USD Vista

The women’s soccer team, ranked 15th in the NCAA, improved to a 3-0 record in WCC play in a sweep of the Bay Area visiting opponents, San Francisco and St. Mary’s. With both victories, the Toreros now improve to 11-3-2 overall and have won four consecutive matches.

On Friday evening, the Toreros defeated the San Francisco Dons 1-0, who now fall to a 5-8-2 overall season record and 0-2 WCC action. Stephanie Ochs led the way for San Diego, with her third goal of the season in the 65th minute.

San Diego outshot the Dons 17-1 and took a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. Brittney Cameron had another outstanding performance as she had one save and allowed no goals whereas the Don’s goalkeeper Kelly Pohle was saddled with the loss for San Francisco as she allowed one goal and recorded seven saves.

Following Friday evening’s victory the Toreros kept up their energy on Sunday afternoon in a victory over the visiting Gaels of St.Mary’s. The Toreros were led by outstanding play from their senior class. Senior strikers Jen Mello and Amy Epsten each scored a goal to carry the Toreros in a win 2-0 over the Gaels.

Mello scored the game-winner at the 76th minute mark, with a cross field pass from sophomore midfielder Jackie Zinke where she kicked the ball into the upper far side of the goal to give her team the advantage. This was Mello’s ninth goal of the season and gave USD the only goal they would need. The second goal was scored by Epsten who kicked the ball on the pass into the upper right side of the goal to put USD up 2-0, the final score of the game. Mello picked up the assist on the play.

The Toreros outshot the Gaels 26-5. Cameron repeated her efforts from Friday’s game in another stellar performance as she allowed no goals and recorded no saves.

The Toreros will return to action tomorrow as they head up to Malibu to face Pepperdine University (6-8-2, 1-2 WCC) in a 3 p.m. WCC match.