MSOC | Gaels Put Together Valiant Effort Against 12th Ranked Toreros but Fall 1-0 in 82nd Minute

Saturday, October 25

Moraga, CA

1:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

1-6-6, 1-3-2

San Diego

10-2-3, 4-1-1

San Diego

Saint Mary's (CA)

#5 Jaydon Whittaker: 45 MP, 1 SH in 1-0 defeat vs. San Diego

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

MSOC | Gaels Put Together Valiant Effort Against 12th Ranked Toreros but Fall 1-0 in 82nd Minute

10/25/2025 5:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's put together an inspired effort against No. 12 San Diego on a wet and rainy Saturday afternoon but came up just short as the Toreros scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute. The match was not short of drama as there were a pair of VAR reviews on two scoring plays. The Gaels had a goal disallowed in the 28th minute and San Diego got credit for the eventual game-winner as an offsides call was overturned, resulting in a goal.

USD outshot Saint Mary's 13-8 in the contest but went toe-to-toe with the Toreros offensively, recording six shots in the first half and several scoring opportunities. Sophomore midfielder Cesar Batres returned to the starting lineup and led the Gaels with two shot attempts including a dangerous one on frame that required a save from USD's keeper in the 18th minute. Sam Bentley finished with three saves in goal while Hubert Deragon, Bastian Toelhoej, Jona Starek, Ian Smith and Cesar Batres played all 90 minutes.

FIRST HALF SMC 0-0 USD

Saint Mary's showed no fear against the 12th ranked team in the country, and in fact, dictated the early stages of the match. San Diego had a hard time possessing the ball in the attacking third as the Gaels were physical in the air and not letting USD get comfortable. In the 18th minute, sophomore midfielder Cesar Batres fired a shot from distance that was bound for the bottom right corner but San Diego keeper Lucca Adams got a left hand to the attempt to push it wide for a corner.

18' | SMC 0 - USD 0

Batres with an early attempt for the Gaels 👀#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/LxbMyxNfY0
— Saint Mary's Men's Soccer (@SMC_MSoccer) October 25, 2025

Saint Mary's appeared to breakthrough in the 27th minute off the right foot of Bastian Toelhoej but the goal would go to review for a potential foul call. The center referee would come out of the tent and deny the goal due to a foul from Toelhoej on the USD defender. The controversial call would let the Toreros off the hook and keep the game scoreless going into the final 15 minutes of the first half.

In the 31st minute, after some nice ball movement up the right side of the field, Ian Smith played an early ball into Jaydon Whittaker who took it down nicely and rifled a shot off the front post. The Toreros were back on their heels and being tested early as the Gaels responded well off of the disallowed goal. The Gaels finished with six shot attempts over the first 45 minutes of play.

31' | SMC 0 - 0 USD

Whittaker from off the post!!! 🔥#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/VXl4oLGRHu
— Saint Mary's Men's Soccer (@SMC_MSoccer) October 25, 2025

FINAL SMC 0-1 USD

San Diego put together some nice offensive chances in the second half, outshooting the Gaels 5-2. The Gaels remained strong though and got some crucial challenges and blocked shot attempts.

In the 82nd minute, the Toreros would generate a nice spell of possession down the left side of the field and get a whipping ball into the box from winger Luca Fava. Bodies would fly in the box in efforts to clear the cross but an errant touch from an SMC defender would push the ball past Bentley into the back of the net for the own goal. The goal was reviewed for potential offsides but ultimately upheld.

USD would hang on for the final nine minutes to stay in the hunt for the WCC title and record their tenth win of the season.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saint Mary's falls to 1-6-6 overall and 1-3-2 in conference play after their one-goal defeat to 12th ranked San Diego. Saint Mary's will head to Spokane next week to take on Gonzaga on Saturday, November 1st at 6:00 PM. Tickets can be bought online and the match can be streamed live on ESPN+.

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#GaelsRise