MAXIMILIANO ACOSTA / ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

On Sept. 4, USD men’s soccer shined after  executing a 3-2 win against Cal Baptist University (CBU) at  their   home-opener. Last  year  when Toreros  hosted CBU, they were knocked out in the NCAA tournament. This time it was different.

After starting slow and conceding  two  goals by the 10th minute in the first half, Toreros were on the cusp of a loss the entire game. The  Toreros skillfully managed to shift the momentum  of the  game in their favor.  Due to a handball USD was given a penalty kick which kick-started their  momentum. 

The crowd immediately went silent, as USD senior and fifty-sixth  overall-draft pick to San Diego FC,  Samy Kanaan, approached the penalty spot to slowly adjust the ball. All of a sudden, the crowd roared as the ball  whipped in the back of the net. Immediately after, a well composed USD offense managed an inside-the-box layoff to USD sophomore and center   midfielder,   Noah  James-  finally seizing a promising  score against the Lancers. Everyone was  on the edge  of   their   seats.  USD players and coaches all stood up due to  the   heightened-emotion.       

Three minutes  later,  the game  finished with a well-placed corner-kick from USD senior and center  midfielder  Josh Martinez. With that, James was able to capitalize  on it, securing the win with an impressive  header- all while the PA  announcer  was  counting down the  last few seconds of the  game. The  clock  read 89:59. The match  became USD’s third straight win, and was full of intensity and thrill that  sent everyone in the stands and on the field into a frenzy. After having  traveled  102 miles, CBU faced a surprising defeat. 

This game also featured a give-away to the first 100 fans to receive a “back-to-back-to-back champions t-shirt.” 

USD Head soccer Coach Brian  Quinn   stated   that   all  they  needed was  the  quick break  in order  to get  the first goal.

“I thought they owned the first ten, eleven minutes,” Quinn said. “They got their two goals and we were fighting the rest of the way to try and get back in the game and we won the last ten minutes.”

Center back and USD sophomore Mathias Bauer commented on the emotions of the game. 

“I somehow felt something that I knew was possible and I could see it like other players,” Bauer said. “[It] actually gave us proof  that it is possible. Even when we are down, we can turn around the games and we can come back and we can score late goals and we will always be dangerous and you can never shut us completely off.” 

Bauer  says that his emotions were indescribable during the game. 

“I mean, I’ve seen and experienced a lot in soccer and also  a   lot   of   comebacks and a lot of excitement,” Bauer said. “But three goals in four and a half minutes is crazy. [In] Europe you have overtime, so usually the  ref, at some point you know  just ends the game. But here [we have] the buzzer. If the buzzer goes, the game’s over.”

USD junior and midfielder Noah    James,  having    scored   two goals,  highlighted    the  game.

 “It was just a fight in the second  half,” James  said. “Didn’t have it in the first, brought   it  out   in  the   second  and  eventually   we got  the goals.” 

That “fight” and relentless attitude played a huge role in creating  the    most  opportunities    for  the   Toreros so far  this  season, having twenty-three shots taken compared to CBU only having four.

USD sophomore Mazin Radwan, who has been a consistent viewer of USD’s men’s soccer program, even having watched the playoff games last season, talked about how it felt to watch the game. 

“This was probably the most exciting game I’ve been to so far at USD, of any sport,” Mazin claimed. “The crowd remained in it even though we had a somewhat of a slow start, and the squad raised and kept the energy up after a slow start to the match.  But once the team came together and caught momentum,  we   looked  like  men amongst boys out there. Our players have superb technique for collegiate athletes, and it is a genuinely pleasurable experience to watch them.

USD’s men’s soccer team celebrate a last second win at Torero Stadium. Photo courtesy of @usdmsoccer/Instagram

This match adds yet another great victory for the Toreros to talk about. After recently  winning  against UCSB 3-1, as well as tying with Kansas City University, 1-1 on Sept. 13, USD is  still   the  team to beat and is set to begin  its WCC 2025 season, against Santa Clara on Sept. 27.

Teammates congratulate No. 23 Noah James after the game-changing goal. Photo courtesy of @usdmsoccer/Instagram