WSOC | Gaels Comeback Falls Just Short at USD

Thursday, October 5

San Diego

7:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

San Diego

WSOC | Gaels Comeback Falls Just Short at USD

10/5/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Oct. 5, 2017

Final Stats

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- After trailing by a single goal for the majority of the match, the Saint Mary's women's soccer team fought back and got the equalizer, but the comeback fell just short as San Diego narrowly escaped with the 2-1 home conference win.

Today's loss hands Saint Mary's (6-7, 2-1 WCC) its first conference loss of the season. USD improves to 4-8 on the season, and 2-0 in conference play.

The Toreros struck first and went into the half with the 1-0 lead. The Gaels outshot USD, 4-3, in the opening 45 minutes.

After early chances in the second half by both teams, the Gaels capitalized late in the game as Hannah Diaz won a 50-50 ball and tied the match.

In a fast-paced ending, the Toreros secured their game-winner of another set-piece, as USD scored the goal in the 86th minute.

THE GOAL

San Diego (1-0): At the 30:47 mark, Sami Fairweather got the opening goal off a header inside the box.
Saint Mary's (1-1): In the 79th minute, Diaz struck her seventh score of the year and equalized the match with a low strike into the left corner.
San Diego (2-1): The Toreros scored the game-winner off a corner kick, as Emma Barrow scored the header off a flick inside the six yard box.

THOUGHTS FROM Travis Clarke

"We worked hard tonight and played well enough to win. We gave up two set plays that we do not normally give up and it unfortunately cost us."

QUICK NOTES

Today marked the 26th meeting between the two programs.
Toreros lead the all-time series, 16-10.
Saint Mary's won the previous two matches by a combined score, 5-2.
Gaels first loss since Sept. 17.
Diaz now tied-4th in all-time history with 24 career goals.

UP NEXT: AT BYU

Saint Mary's will head over to BYU for a showdown on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Kickoff at Provo, Utah is set for 7 p.m. MT/ 6 p.m. PT.
Season, single match and group tickets to attend Saint Mary's women's soccer matches are open for purchase. Tickets will be available online here or by calling the SMC Athletic Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTX (4689).