Oct. 22, 1999

Video Highlights

• Abbas Faridnia scoring Gonzaga's second goal against San Diego on a pass from Brian Ching

SPOKANE, Wash - Gonzaga University scored four straight goals - including a pair by Brian Ching - as the Bulldogs shocked fourth-ranked University of San Diego 4-2 Friday in a West Coast Conference men's soccer match at Martin Field.

The Bulldogs (7-6-1, 1-1-0) continued its mastery over nationally-ranked foes this season, making the Toreros (11-2-0, 2-1-0) their fourth Top 25 victim this season. Gonzaga has defeated top-ranked Creighton University, No. 6 University of Virginia and No. 7 Stanford University. The Bulldogs, 4-2-1 against Top 25 competition, has lost to top-ranked Santa Clara University and No. 25 Southwest Missouri State, and tied 11th-ranked University of Washington.

The Toreros, upset winners of top-ranked Santa Clara last weekend, scored quickly when Levi Parker found the open right corner after taking a pass from Mike Marvil and firing the left-to-right shot past Gonzaga keeper Trevor Yost.

Gonzaga countered at 14:04 when Jason Kuska dribbled in from midfield and beat Matt Hall for the equalizer, which sent the teams to the halftime lockerroom tied.

The Bulldogs, who tied for first place in the WCC with USD last season but lost the automatic NCAA Tournament berth by virtue of a 2-1 setback at San Diego, struck like lightning in the second half. Abbas Faridnia took a Brian Ching pass and buried a left-to-right shot into the open corner to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead at 55:07. Nearly 14 minutes later, Kuska was pulled down from behind by USD's Eric Van Demen and Ching converted the penalty kick at 69:06, taking the ball to Hall's right while the keeper guessed left. Just over five minutes later, Kuska fed a perfect through ball up the middle to Ching who got past a pair of USD defenders and beat Hall 1-on-1 for the 4-1 advantage.

Mike Piserchio gave USD life when his free kick from 20 yards hit high on the right post, clanged left and into the net at 77:19 to cut the Gonzaga deficit to 4-2.

The physical, emotionally charged match saw four yellow cards issued, three to Gonzaga. Referee Bobby Martinez also issued several other warnings to players from both teams for excessive physical play.

Gonzaga won't have long to savor Friday's victory, returning to action Sunday at 1 p.m. at home against Loyola Marymount University. The Lions tied Portland Friday in the Rose City in a WCC contest.