USD vs SDSU- Game Recap
On Saturday 12/7, USD hosted cross town rivals San Diego State. The battle for San Diego was a physical matchup on a rare rainy and cold evening in San Diego. Both teams were well supported in the bleachers, which led to a great game atmosphere. After a tight beginning to the game, USD ran away with it for a 43-7 victory. USD was dominant in contact all day, and the whole squad showed well for a complete team win. Every time a ball bounced a Torero was there first to get possession back. It was an 80 minute fight by a team determined to make a statement.
The game started tensely with the Aztecs on the front foot. USD were forced to play a bend but don’t break defense, as they continuously repelled the opposition attack. Big tackles from Darren Seward and Jonny Hale sent Aztec ball carriers backwards. A couple huge penalties won by Henri Vatinel and Ty Helfrich allowed the Toreros to play with ball in hand. From a lineout in the Aztec half, the USD forward pack built up some momentum with hard running. Gabe DePaolo was fed the ball out wide 10 yards out from the goal line. The senior winger burst through a couple of tackles and was in for the first try of the game. USD would carry momentum through half time, with Isoa Moimoi scoring two tries before halftime. Moimoi scored his first by slicing through the defense after selling a dummy, and the second was from a well worked set play right off the training ground. Both scores were converted by Cameron Wilmer, to put the score at 19-0 at halftime.
Despite the flattering score line, there were some harsh words for the Toreros at halftime from head coach Charlie Purdon. USD gave away too many penalties, and were not executing up to the team’s standards. The team set out for the second half intent on finishing strong. After a back and forth start to the second half USD, SDSU got a backbreaking momentum swing in the 50th minute. USD had a scrum put in deep in opposition territory. The ball rolled straight through the scrum without touching anybody, ending up on the weak side. The Aztec flanker picked the ball up and ran all the way for a try. The score and conversion put the score at 19-7. It was a try that could have started a big comeback for SDSU, but USD gathered composure and iced the game in the final 30 minutes. With inside center Isoa Moimoi scoring two in the first half, outside center Mark Boschetti was anxious to get his name on the score sheet. Boschetti scored two tries on two consecutive touches in the 55th minute. After a great bit of team work from USD, Boschetti cut inside and sprinted for a score. On the ensuing kickoff, Boschetti caught the kick and broke the first tackle. He then outran everybody in front of him for his second score. The Boschetti brace moved the score to 31-7 USD, and the result was never in doubt from there. Henri Vatinel would add a try in the 60th off a nice dish from Ty Helfrich. To round out the scoring, Gabe DePaolo added his second score of the match. DePaolo broke out some lethal side stepping after a huge break from Matt Desalvo, and the final tally would be brought to 43-7.
It was an outstanding performance from USD, and it rounded off a stellar 15s preseason. The result was USD’s biggest win of the decade against SDSU. This game was microcosm for rugby as a whole, with great work being down by the USD forward pack, and every single score coming from the backs. The forwards, led by Darren Seward and Ty Helfrich, rumbled all day to put USD on the front foot. The USD backs held up their end, and put points on the board with great footwork and top end speed. Any of the USD backs with multiple scores could have been man of the match. Gabe DePaolo was a tackle breaking machine, and he continued his phenomenal rookie season with another great showing. Mark Boschetti scored on two consecutive touches to ice the game, and was a rock on defense. Despite the strong showing by both, USD’s man of the match was Isoa Moimoi. Moimoi was great offensively and defensively, and his two scores before halftime led to a dominant team performance in the second half. The junior center has been a huge asset for the Toreros since returning from injury. USD will now turn to league preparation, with training camp beginning on January 15th. The league opener will be at ASU on January 25th.
Final Score: USD 43- SDSU 7
Man of the match: Isoa Moimoi
Starting Lineup
Nick Classen
Clayton Cervantes
Ty Helfrich
Jonny Hale
Thomas Olson
Cameron Miller
Wyatt Darien
Darren Seward
Brandon Arriaga
Cameron Wilmer (C)
Henri Vatinel
Isoa Moimoi
Mark Boschetti
Gabe DePaolo
Jordan Sandoval
Substituions
16. Pedro Gomez (Classen 40’)
17. Martim De Lucas (Olson 50’)
18. Michael Ramos ( Darien 55’)
19. Matthew Desalvo (Moimoi 60’)
20. Conor O’ Shaugnessey (Arriaga 65’)
21. David Alba (Vatinel 70’)
Scoring
Tries
2 DePaolo, 2 Boschetti, 2 Moimoi, Vatinel
Conversions
Wilmer 4/7
Team photo after the win- Photo from Kirsten Classen