Women’s soccer wins big with six consecutive games

Kiva Herman / Staff Writer / The USD Vista

The USD women’s soccer team remained undefeated in West Coast Conference play, earning two road victories this past weekend against Pepperdine and Loyola.

The Toreros are ranked No. 14 nationally and stand at 13-3-2, and a perfect 5-0 in the West Coast Conference. These back to back league wins set up a showdown against the No. 3 ranked Portland Pilots next weekend at San Diego. This matchup will determine first place in the West Coast Conference as the Toreros are ranked second in the WCC behind their opponent the Portland Pilots.

On Friday afternoon, the Toreros defeated Pepperdine 1-0 at Tari Frahm Rokus Field. Senior midfielder Ashley Kirk scored her first goal of the season. Kirk rose above all players and headed the ball into the back of the net to give USD the 1-0 advantage.

USD senior goalkeeper Brittany Cameron recorded six saves in the Toreroes win, earning her seventh shutout of the season.

Pepperdine goalkeeper Kayla Stolte allowed one goal and recorded eight saves. Pepperdine fell to 6-9-2 overall, and 1-3-1 in the WCC. Pepperdine out shot USD 15-10 and also had the edge over the Toreros in corner kicks as well.

In Sunday afternoon’s match, the Toreros brought their enthusiaism and energy that led to a 1-0 shut out over Loyola Marymount (6-5-3) in a West Coast Conference match. With the loss, the Lions fell to 6-5-3 overall and to 3-2-0 in WCC action.

Sophomore midfielder Jackie Zinke’s third goal of the season gave the Toreros the advantage. Zinke tallied the lone goal of the match at the 79:53 minute mark. Elissa Magracia made a pass to Zinke who then had an uncontested shot into the back of the net to give USD the 1-0 win.

Cameron continued her stellar performance Saturday as she once again allowed no goals and recorded three saves in her eighth shutout of the season. Lions’ keeper Allysa Clark recorded eight saves, but allowed one goal that led to the defeat for the Lions. San Diego outshot the Lions 17-5 and had a 13-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The lady Toreros soccer team will return to action this Friday as they head to the Pacific Northwest to face the Gonzaga Bulldogs (6-9-2) in Spokane, Wash. in a WCC match that begins at 11:30 a.m.