University of San Diego started off their Gold Coast Conference campaign with some sizzle on a hot Saturday.

Behind two tries from loose forward and Man of the Match Joey Shenton, the Tereors led 29-0 at halftime and never looked back in defeating Arizona State 41-10.

San Diego got going early with a try from Tyler Shelley after a series of pick-and-drives from the forward pack. After that ASU battened down the defense for a time, but 15 minutes into the game San Diego attacked off a scrum at midfield.

Paul Habeeb was put through a gap and the wing drew in the fullback and fed supporting center Micky O’Leary to put him in under the posts.

The Toreros continued to put pressure on the Sun Devils with their kicking game, and that pressure set up the next try, with No. 8 Michael Ramos barreling over off an eightman pick from a scrum five meters out.

It was a hot day in San Diego and it kept getting hotter, testing both teams and it was clear late in the first half that fatigue was a factor. USD was able to capitalize on slow retreating defenders and Shenton ran in from long range for his first. Arizona State attempted to claw back with their front rowers such as Alex Pitton and Isaiah Fatigoni making ground. But a long defensive stand by USD ended with a turnover, and Logan Tatum picked up the loose back, found some space, and passed to Habeeb. The wing set off and 80 meters later was over the line in what was a massive momentum shift, and a killer blow scored by USD.

That made it 29-0 at halftime.

The second half showed the Sun Deviles try to open it up a bit and they scored early in the period. Shenton answered with his second, and then captain and prop Oliver Kane went over to make it 41-5. ASU got one more but that was it.

“It’s always good to start the season with a win," said University of San Diego Director of Rugby Kevin Eaton. "When you consider 19 players out of the 23 that took the field for us today were playing their first league match for USD, the result is more impressive. ASU coach Pieter Hugo brought a strong side out here with a few players that really challenged us. To overcome a strong side like ASU in such convincing fashion will be a good confidence booster going forward. There is a lot to work on still as we refine the technical aspects of our game. Our discipline must improve if we want to continue to win games in this league. The effort and desire is most certainly there, and that is a solid foundation for us to build on.”

“Pleased with the result," added USD Head Coach Charlie Purdon. "I appreciate the work these players put in to improve themselves. We look forward to the challenge ahead of us next Saturday.”

USD's 9-10-12 combo of Carmine Derosa, Michael Lewis, and Micky O’Leary consists of all freshmen, but they played with veteran poise. The pack worked hard and seemed to handle the heat better than ASU. And Shenton, who was playing his first game in the forwards, was effective in the lineout, scored two tries, and worked hard throughout to earn his player of the game award.

Also in the Gold Coast, which is a DI/Small College hybrid conference, Loyola Marymount beat California Lutheran 36-19, Norco beat Occidental 78-7 behind four tries from wing Dennis Kersee, three tries from center Jesse Hamilton, and 14 points from the boot of flyhalf Connor Hannon.