USD Soccer Advances to Second Round

PORTLAND —  The University of San Diego men’s soccer team, ranked 17th nationally, defeated Portland, 4-2, Sunday to advance to the second round of the NCAA Division I soccer championships.

USD scored on its first three shots to take a 3-0 halftime lead, but Portland (12-6-1) pulled to 3-2 by scoring goals within the opening two minutes of the second half.

“When we went three-up I was elated, but it turned to panic when we gave up two goals so quickly in the second half,” USD Coach Seamus McFadden said. “Our team really showed composure when they (Portland) scored those goals and didn’t allow them to score again.”

Alex Streicek scored the Toreros’ first goal off an assist by Toby Taitano 16 minutes into the game. Eleven minutes later, Taitano assisted Phillip Button on USD’s second goal.

Paul Gelvezon, assisted by Button and Brenden Griffin, scored seven minutes later for USD.

With about a minute remaining, David Beall scored off an assist by Taitano for USD.

Last weekend, USD defeated Portland, 2-0, in San Diego, so McFadden was expecting a difficult game.

“We made some changes after last week’s game and it worked out really well,” McFadden said. “We are a very skillful team and it showed today.”

USD (16-2-5) will play the defending national champion Bruins at UCLA on Sunday in the second round.