University of San Francisco Athletics

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SAN FRANCISCO—A late goal from San Jose State looked destined to send USF's match to overtime but a goal in the final seconds from freshman Lexie Krueger gave the Dons the 2-1 win on Friday night.
 
"We had chances all day long and we talked about that," Head Coach Jim Millinder said. "At the end of the day you've got to finish your chances and Lexie came up big. She showed great composure to get behind [her defender] and slot the final goal."
 
With 54 seconds left in regulation, Krueger took her defender one-on-one and drilled her goal from the left side of the box. It was her second goal in as many games.
 
It is the first time USF (2-0-0) has won its first two matches since 2010 when it began the season with three straight wins.
 
"Soccer's a funny game," Millinder said. "I've played many, many games and coached many games where you dominate a team and they end up winning. We're ecstatic today that we got the result."
 
The Dons got two shots at their second goal in the 70th minute when Katherin Woodrum's free kick went off the right post and a rebound shot by Mackenzie Krieser was saved by San Jose State goalie Sarah Pepinski.
 
USF had 10 shots in the second half, including seven on goal.
 
The Spartans (0-3-0) were able to avoid disaster on a number of occasions and turned the tables on the Dons. San Jose State tied it up on a goal by Alexis Venegas in the 74th minute.
 
"We've got a lot of good players and we get caught up sometimes in the moment of the game and it gets chaotic and we've got to learn to slow it down and just do what we do," Millinder said.
 
Much like in their opener, the Dons jumped on its opponent early and put pressure on Peplinski.
 
In the 10th minute, Alex Alugas had a good opportunity in front of the goal but was unable to handle a brilliant pass from Jessica Nakae. It did not take long for USF to get another chance.
 
In the 14th minute, freshman Amanda Whittle scored the first goal of her career off a cross pass from Krieser.
 
NEXT MATCH:
Sunday, Sept. 1
Opponent: vs. Detroit Mercy (0-1-1)
Location: Negoesco Stadium
Time: 11 a.m.
Coverage: USFDons.com (Video, Live Stats)