University of San Francisco Athletics

Box Score  
 
MORAGA, Calif.—A first half goal was all Saint Mary's needed as they beat the Dons in their West Coast Conference opener 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
 
"They scored a lucky goal in the first half and we dominated the rest of the game. That's soccer," San Francisco head coach Jim Millinder said. "That's probably the best 2x45 we've played all season but that's just the way the game worked out sometimes."
 
San Francisco (5-5-2, 0-1-0 WCC) had few chances to get on the board in the first half and in the 34th minute Mackenzie Krieser found Lexie Krueger on a cross within five feet of the goal but she was unable to get a shot off and it was cleared by Saint Mary's.
 
Saint Mary's (5-7-0, 1-0-0) kept the Dons busy on the defensive end and that pressure finally paid off. In the 37th minute, Mary Fraser drilled a bullet from about 30 yards out into the top right corner of the goal to give the Gaels an early 1-0 lead.
 
The Gaels kept up the pressure in the second half and in the 53rd minute, Caroline Beaulne found Melinda Madden with a lead pass that left her with only one defender to beat but Madayln Schiffel was able to come out and snare the ball before a shot was attempted.
 
In the 62nd minute, Tyler Campagna danced through three defenders to get a shot off from the top of the box but it went wide. This came only moments after Alex Alugas had a look after a throw in from Jessica Nakae but her shot was knocked down by Gael goalie Kaeli Schmidt.
 
San Francisco nearly tied the game in the 77th minute when Mackenzie Krieser took a cross from Abigail Phillips and her shot went just high. But Saint Mary's came right back and nearly got a goal of its own when Beaulne broke away from her defender on the left side and her shot was deflected by Schiffel and cleared by Jessica Nakae.
 
"We possessed the ball, we were in their half, we created chances," Millinder said. "We have to finish chances."
 
The Dons had 14 shots on the afternoon but were shutout for the fourth straight time. They have not scored since a second half goal against Oregon on Sept. 20.
 
"Soccer's a funny game," Millinder said. "They kids got to keep working hard and do the right things. They're doing the right things. At some point things will change. At some point that little round thing will roll over the line."
 
The Dons will be off until Thursday when they return to Negoesco Stadium to continue WCC play against No. 22 BYU.
 
The Dons had a chance early in the first half when in the second minute Amanda Whittle found an opening and blasted a shot that went just high.
 
Saint Mary's also had its opportunities early on. Beaulne was able to find Briana Campos behind a couple of defenders near the top of the box and she was one-on-one with Schiffel but called offsides.
 
Next match
Thursday, Oct. 10
Opponent: BYU
Location: Negoesco Stadium
Time: 7 p.m.
Coverage: USFDons.com/live, Live Stats