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UC Santa Barbara
9/10/2025 | 7:00 PM
ESPN +
Sep. 10 (Wed) / 7:00 PM
UC Santa Barbara
SAN DIEGO — Despite trailing by two goals through the game’s first 84 minutes, the #13 San Diego men’s soccer team (3-1-1, 0-0-0, WCC) picked up an improbable 3-2 victory over California Baptist (3-1-0, 0-0-0, WAC) on Thursday night from Torero Stadium.
Noah James in his first collegiate game back in his hometown collected his third career brace with a pair of late goals. The game-winner came with exactly one second remaining on the clock as a tremendous ball from Devin Zachry set up the game winner sending the lively USD crew into a frenzy.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Just seven minutes into Thursday evening’s contest, a quick strike from the Lancers gave them a 1-0 lead.
- CBU then converted a penalty kick three minutes later, giving the Lancers a 2-0 lead 10 minutes into the contest.
- Neither team created many chances through the remainder of the first half, as Cal Baptist held its 2-0 lead at the break.
- Samy Kanaan fired a ball towards the back post in the 82nd minute of play that connected with Godwin Antwi but could not find the back of the net, missing just over the top of the goal.
- A handball in the box from the Lancers earned the Toreros a penalty kick which Kanaan converted in the 86th minute of play, cutting the CBU lead in half at 2-1.
- Just one minute later, Zachry received the ball in the box from a header off James with his back turned to the net, Zachry held the ball and laid it off to James who ripped a shot into the back of the net, tying the game in the blink of an eye, making it 2-2 with three minutes to play.
- As the PA announcer began the 10 second countdown to end the game, the Toreros earned a corner which Josh Martinez quickly fired into the six yard box, connecting with James for an unbelievable go-ahead goal, sending his team into a frenzy as they stormed the field with the clock reading 89:59.
TORERO TIDBITS
- James scored his first two goals as a Torero on Thursday as he played the full 90 minutes of action and recorded six shots in the thrilling win.
- Zachry made the most of his first game as a Torero, playing 27 key minutes in the second half to ignite the comeback.
- Martinez’s last minute assist was his first of the season.
- Kanaan’s penalty kick goal that started the party was his first goal of 2025.
CATCHING UP WITH THE TOREROS
UP NEXT
The Toreros will be back in action at home this Wednesday, as they host UC Santa Barbara (2-1-0, 0-0-0, Big West) for their second home match of the 2025 season. Kick-off against the Gauchos is set for 7:00 p.m., with tickets, live video and live statistics links available on the team’s website.