SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Saint Mary's kicked off WCC action Saturday night and battled the reigning conference champs in San Diego. The Gaels scored twice on the night but fought their way to a 4-2 defeat to the 21st ranked Toreros to record their first loss of the 2024 conference season.
Bastian Toelhoej and
BJ Ruzmir scored the two goals for Saint Mary's but San Diego was able to net two goals in each half to seal the victory and move to 1-0 in conference play.
FIRST HALF SMC 1-2 USD
The Saint Mary's defense kept the 21st ranked Toreros off the scoreboard for the first 20 minutes of the match but they would finally breakthrough in the 21st minute with a corner kick goal. Freshman keeper
Sam Bentley returned to the starting lineup for the Gaels and made the initial save on the header attempt but San Diego hammered home the rebound to take a one goal lead. Just eight minutes later the Toreros would take advantage of a turnover in the Gaels defensive half. They would fly down the left side and put in a cross to the near post that was hammered into the roof of the net off a one time finish to double their lead.
Head coach
Adam Cooper and his squad are no strangers to playing from behind as they rallied down 2-0 earlier this season to score two second half goals against Dartmouth. They would answer the bell just before the half as junior forward
Maxwell Farnum earned a penalty for the Gaels in the 40th minute. Once again, veteran
Bastian Toelhoej would step up and convert his third penalty of the season to bring Saint Mary's within a goal. Toelhoej moved back to center back for tonight's match as he has started all nine games this season.
FINAL SMC 2-4 USD
San Diego would continue to flex their offensive efficiency this season as they netted two more goals in the second half, one in the 58th minute and the other in the 70th minute. The Gaels would continue to battle though as they got one of their best goals of the season just seven minutes later from junior transfer
BJ Ruzmir. Ruzmir hammered a right footed volley into the roof of the net after a failed clearance from a San Diego defender. He got his second start of the season last week against San Jose State and was very effective in the Gaels midfield, he finished tonight's match with 21 minutes off the bench. The Toreros would eventually hang on for the 4-2 victory and outshoot the Gaels 27-7 in the match. Bentley finished with a game high six saves on the night and senior midfielder
Cade Cowan took another positive step as he made his second start and played all 90 minutes in the Gaels midfield.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's falls to 1-5-3 overall and 0-1 in WCC play. They will return to Saint Mary's stadium next week for a home doubleheader with the women. The men will take on LMU on Saturday, October 5th starting at 1:00 PM. Catch all the action on ESPN+ and get your tickets at smcgaels.com/tickets.
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