PORTLAND, Ore. - Steven Ramirez netted the match winner in the 53rd minute to send No. 19 nationally ranked and No. 2 seed San Diego (11-4-3) into the West Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Championship title match with a 2-1 victory over No. 3 seed Denver at Merlo Field in Wednesday’s opening semifinal.

The Toreros took an early 1-0 advantage in the 3rd minute on Samy Kanaan’s neatly placed left-footed bender from 25 yards.

Denver (5-8-4) equalized just over a minute prior to Ramirez’s winner - Bryce Willoughby was played through behind the USD defense and pushed past the charging keeper for an open-net leveler in the 52nd minute.

Ramirez capitalized on a backline miscue and beat the Pioneers’ keeper with a low, angled shot from the top of the box to send the Toreros through to Saturday’s WCC title match.

Willoughby had another chance to bring things level in the 63rd, but USD keeper Lucca Adams calmly collected the header and the Pioneers never seriously threatened again.

San Diego will meet the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between No. 6 nationally ranked and top-seeded host Portland and No. 4 seed San Francisco.