San Diego Men’s Soccer Set for NCAA Tournament Showdown Against Vermont
SAN DIEGO – Following their recent thrilling victory over Duke, the San Diego Toreros men’s soccer team (15-2-2, 7-1 WCC) will host the Vermont Catamounts (13-2-5, 4-1-2 America East) in the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, December 1, at 5:00 p.m. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The Toreros are aiming for a place in the Quarterfinals for only the third time in school history, seeking their first advancement since 2012. In their last match, San Diego edged Duke 1-0, thanks to a crucial corner kick execution by Josh Martinez, leading to Jack Sandmeyer’s header goal in the 83rd minute. Goalkeeper Donovan Parisian delivered an impressive performance with seven saves, securing his eighth clean sheet of the season.
Vermont enters the game with momentum, having defeated Iona 5-0 in the First Round before overcoming #7 Hofstra with a 2-1 road victory to advance. The Catamounts are led offensively by redshirt senior forward Yaniv Bazini, who has netted 11 goals this season, while freshman goalkeeper Niklas Herceg has recorded four saves in NCAA Tournament play.
Notably, the Toreros boast a formidable defense, conceding only four goals since October and achieving six clean sheets during this stretch. Parisian has particularly excelled, maintaining a .787 save percentage and achieving shutouts in six of his last seven outings.
San Diego’s roster has garnered significant recognition, with multiple players earning All-WCC honors. As the Toreros prepare for this pivotal match, fans can follow the team on social media to stay updated on their postseason journey.
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Photo credit usdtoreros.com
