Friday's game
Opponent: LIU Brooklyn
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
2012 record: 2-14-2, 1-8-1 NEC
Sunday's game
Opponent: Air Force
Game time: 2 p.m.
2012 record: 10-9-4, 5-3-2 MWC
SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons look to build on a strong spring season when they open the 2013 season with a four-game homestand at Negoesco Stadium, beginning this weekend with LIU Brooklyn and Air Force.
Scoring was an issue in 2012 but not for a lack of trying. USF outshot its opponents by 33 yet yielded the same number of goals (18).
The Dons are hoping that is not the case this year. Leading scorer
Mauricio Diaz De Leon returns for his senior season, along with
Miguel Aguilar, who led the team in shots on goal.
Stopping goals was also highlighted in training camp. Cal Poly transfer
Chase Hauser and redshirt freshman
Connor Gaal have been competing for the starting role and both could end up contributing on the pitch for the Dons.
USF was picked to finish fourth in the West Coast Conference preseason poll and received one first place vote. Expectations are high for the Dons as they begin the 2013 season.
ABOUT LIU BROOKLYN
The Blackbirds have not won a match since late September against Mount St. Mary's. While the Dons are not overlooking LIU Brooklyn, it should provide a good warm up match for the remainder of the nonconference schedule.
ABOUT AIR FORCE
Air Force is coming off a trip to the NCAA Tournament and will take on USF after facing conference foe Saint Mary's on Friday in Moraga.
The Falcons lost three of their top four scorers from a year ago and have 16 underclassmen on the 2013 squad. The leading returning scorer is Brian Klazura, who scored three goals last season.
Senior defender Caleb Downey also returns and was named the Western Athletic Conference preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
This will be Air Force's first year in the WAC since 1999.
DOUBLE HEADER WEEKEND
Each match is the second half of a double header at Negoesco Stadium with the women's team playing San Jose State on Friday and Detroit Mercy on Sunday.
STATS/VIDEO/AUDIO
Live stats, video and audio of the games will be available. Click
here for all of the in-game action.
