SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It was a banner year for San Diego sports, full of big announcements and exciting moments. Before we head into the new year, FOX 5 and KUSI are taking a look back at some of the most notable moments in local sports this year. Year in review: San Diego’s top stories of 2024 Dylan Cease throws second no-hitter in San Diego Padres history Dylan Cease pitched the second no-hitter in Padres history with a 3-0 win over the Washington Nationals back in July that completed a three-game sweep. He joins homegrown pitcher Joe Musgrove, who recorded the franchise's first no-hitter back in 2021. San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease celebrates his no-hitter at the end of the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell) Padres turn triple play to clinch playoff spot with 4-2 win over Dodgers Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres clinched a spot in this season's Major League Baseball playoffs in September after a stunning game-ending triple play to preserve a 4-2 win against their biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Diego FC signs international soccer star Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano "Chuckymania" arrived in San Diego in June with San Diego FC's signing of international soccer star, Hirving Lozano. The winger was announced as the cornerstone player for the new Major League Soccer club's roster. Hirving "Chucky" Lozano wearing the new San Diego FC jersey. (Courtesy of San Diego FC) Athletes with San Diego bring home medals at 2024 Olympics From women's basketball star and Poway native Kelsey Plum to Encinitas skateboarder Tom Schaar, San Diegans helped Team USA bring home a number of medals during the 2024 Olympics this summer in Paris, France. SDSU Aztecs accept invitation to join the Pac-12 Conference In September, the San Diego State Aztecs announced it will at long last join the Pac-12 Conference in 2026, ending its decades-long tenure in Mountain West. Alex Morgan says goodbye in front of over 26,000 at San Diego Wave game With a standing ovation from a crowd of over 26,000, women’s soccer icon Alex Morgan took her final steps off the pitch in San Diego and into retirement back in September, marking the end to her incredible 15-year career. San Diego Wave's Alex Morgan waves before the start of an NWSL soccer game against the North Carolina Courage on Sunday, Sept. 8 2024, in San Diego. (Sandy Huffaker/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP) Schauffele moves into elite category with 2 majors in 2 months Xander Schauffele had previously been known as one of the best golf players who had yet to win a major. This year, the Scripps Ranch native nabbed two trophies in as many months, the PGA Championship and British Open. Lincoln’s big win, two-way tie lead exciting Gala Awards  After an excellent season that saw the Hornets make it to third best high school football team in California, Lincoln High School quarterback Akili Smith Jr. was awarded the coveted Silver Pigskin at KUSI's Silver Pigskin Gala. Hornets quarterback Akili Smith Jr. wins coveted Silver Pigskin MORE: Sports Aztecs suffer Sweet 16 loss to UConn The San Diego State men's basketball team went deep in to March Madness again this year, making it all the way to the Sweet 16. However, in a rematch of the 2023 championship game, the Aztecs were knocked out by the University of Connecticut Huskies. San Diego Clippers: LA’s G League team to rebrand, move to Oceanside A familiar team name made its return to San Diego this year when the Los Angeles Clippers' G League team moved down to Oceanside. The feeder team, rebranded to San Diego Clippers in honor of the Clippers' history in America's Finest City, made its debut in the fall.