California Baptist University
(RV) USD
CBU Matched Up Against USD For NCAA First Round Action
11/13/2023 11:17:00 AM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE - On Monday morning, the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament Selection Show revealed that California Baptist would return to San Diego for their opening round match-up against the University of San Diego Toreros. The game is set for Thursday, November 16, with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.
The Lancers punched their ticket to the College Cup on Saturday afternoon when they won their second-straight Western Athletic Conference tournament title, thanks to a late game-winner from Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Luis Mueller, against the 4-seed and host UNLV.
The Lancers and Toreros are familiar foes, having faced each other five times since 2018, with CBU holding a 3-2 lead in the series. However, the Toreros took the last meeting earlier this season in San Diego by a score of 2-0. Even with that result, CBU has outscored USD 9-6 all-time and 5-4 in Torero Stadium.
The Toreros finished the regular season tied with Santa Clara at the top of the West Coast Conference table at 5-1-1 in conference and a respectable 11-4-3 overall record. USD has been in and out of the top-25 all year, settling as high as #22 when the Lancers first visited and finishing the season on the outside looking in while still Receiving Votes.
The WAC is represented this year by a pair of schools as Seattle U earned an at-large bid based on finishing the season ranked inside the top 10. They are set to face Oregon State on the 16th as well. Last year, the Lancers earned the program's first-ever trip to the DI tournament in their first season of eligibility after winning the 2022 WAC Tournament as a 5-seed. They traveled to Westwood and battled UCLA for 90 minutes, leading early off a Luis Mueller goal inside the first 20 minutes of action, but were eventually overcome by the Bruins, 2-1.
This year's match can be viewed on ESPN+ or attended in person, with all attendance details found here.
