Both the USD Toreros and Claremont Lions knew that Saturday’s matchup would likely decide the Southern California Conference champion and the matchup did not disappoint. The Lions struck first with an early penalty kick after a Torero infraction in front of the home side’s goalposts. While USD was able to build some offensive phases, the Claremont defense stymied the Torero attack and forced a penalty, allowing the Lions to clear their lines and set a line-out in USD’s half. Sam Carlson had other ideas, however, as he stole the line-out from Claremont, giving USD a much needed reprieve by way of a Lucas Troughear clearance kick. The ensuing chase smothered the Lions counterattack and Cade Caufield earned a penalty at the breakdown, leading to a USD line-out at the Lion’s 22 meter line. After a punishing 15-meter maul by the forwards, Caleb Tomasin spun the ball to Troughear, who continued the passing line to Daniel Suhr and finally onto to Chase Basson, who made a diving catch that carried him over the tryline for USD’s first points of the day. A missed conversion left the Toreros with a slight 5-3 advantage, but the Lions were far from done.

A USD penalty saw Claremont’s flyhalf slot a 40-meter kick, adding another three to the Lions scoreline. Troughear, however, answered with a penalty kick of his own and USD reclaimed the lead 8-6. Another USD penalty opened the door for a Claremont shot at the posts, which sailed through cleanly. The lead change saw USD trailing Claremont 9-8 after 25 minutes of play, however, Troughear’s boot had another shot at goal after a Lions penalty, which he expertly banged through, giving the lead back to USD 11-9. The rest of the half was quiet until the final play of the period. After being held up in-goal, fullback Michael Lewis stole the ball in contact, which set up a Brandon Guiducci try under the posts. The conversion was made and the Toreros went to the sheds with a 18-9 lead.

After a back and forth first half, USD asserted their control over the match as they rattled off four unanswered tried, beginning with a gritty pick-and-go by reserve forward Dylan Joven. While the Lions had some attacking opportunities, the Toreros stiffened up their defense and few attacking carries crossed their gainline. This allowed USD to control the flow of things, allowing for composed defensive lines to build pressure on the Lions attack, leading to unforced errors by the visiting side. After 80 minutes, the Toreros emegered victorious 42-9.

USD have a bye week before traveling to the desert to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils on February 21st.

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