At the time, it seemed like a disastrous upset.

Visiting Vermont defeated the University of San Diego’s men’s soccer team 1-0 in overtime before a record soccer turnout at Torero Stadium in the third round of last year’s NCAA Tournament.

In retrospect, Toreros coach Brian Quinn called the Toreros’ season-ending loss “bittersweet.”

“It’s no fun losing like that,” Quinn said Monday. “But Vermont went on to win the national championship. And the memory of that loss has carried over with our players. They want to go farther this year.

“And I think we can. We’re a legitimate top-10 team in the country. We’re right there. We’re in line for a NCAA berth. The immediate goal is to secure a first-round bye.”

The Toreros could advance in 2025 as something other than the West Coast Conference c

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