The college soccer season has begun and the first two weeks already have featured some spicy match ups for local teams.
There was the University of San Diego men's squad beating San Diego State 2-1 in a crosstown rivalry last week.
The intensity was high. And there was the typical trash talk, hard tackles, yellow cards and mini scuffles that come with facing a rival.
The crowd of almost 3,000 at Torero Stadium witnessed a thrilling finish to what is non-conference match that had all the feeling of a playoff match.
Stephen Posa sent a low shot in the 89th minute to give the Toreros the win and give USD coach Seamus McFadden and the school bragging rights, for now.
For the Toreros, it wasn't only a bright spot to beat the Aztecs but it was also its first victory of the season. It also gave USD a bit of redemption and maybe some revenge. The Aztecs beat USD 3-2 in last year's meeting which also drew close to 3,000 fans. Both matches are believed to be the largest in San Diego history for college soccer.
McFadden's team has kept up the momentum from that winning effort.
The Toreros won Friday against Penn 1-0 and take on Manhattan on Sunday, as part of the San Diego Central Tournament.
These latest wins come at a perfect time for USD, since it had lost to UC Irvine and Drake before taking on the Aztecs.
For the Aztecs, the match against USD was the second time in three days they allowed a late goal.
The Aztecs managed to give up the tying goal in the 90th minute in a 2-2 draw against Long Island University on Sept. 2.
But Coach Lev Kirshners bounced from the last two matches by trouncing Manhattan 4-0 on Friday. On Sunday, the Aztecs take on Penn, also as part of the tournament.
USD, SDSU women both lose
The Toreros women's soccer team couldn't catch a break last Sunday in a 1-0 loss to Central Florida at Torero Stadium while the No. 22-ranked nationally SDSU squad couldn't get past Alabama, losing by the same score.
The Toreros (4-2) outshot the Knights 8-6 and had six more corner kicks but were unable to find the net despite controlling possession for the most part of the match.
Kristina Trujic scored in the 74th minute to seal the Knights' win.
On Friday it was a different story when Stephanie Ochs scored a pair of goals to beat Texas 2-1 in Los Angeles at the USC Tournament. The Toreros face Oklahoma on Sunday.
UCSD Men's gives up late goal in loss
The Tritons men's squad lost to St. Martin's 1-0 at home after giving up a 83rd minute goal. The Tritons started the season 1-1 and are scheduled to take on a five-game road trip beginning with matches at Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State San Bernardino. They will be the Tritons first two California Collegiate Athletic Association matches.
No. 2 ranked UCSD Women's unbeaten
The UCSD women's soccer team continues to play at a high level as it tries to remain amid the top 10 teams in the nation in Division II.
The Tritons (1-0-1) beat No. 10 Seattle Pacific 2-0 last Saturday.
Anne Wethe knocked in a header off a corner kick from Hayley Johnson and Sarah McTigue added a goal for the Tritons.
UCSD will also be heading on a five-match road trip through Los Angeles County beginning with CCAA matches at Cal State LA and Cal State San Bernardino this weekend.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
