University of San Francisco Athletics

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SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons were in a physical battle with San Jose State as seven cards were handed out but found a way to pull out the 2-1 victory on Sunday night.
 
"It was a physical game but it was a typical WCC battle," Head Coach Erik Visser said. "They played hard, it was chippy. Compared to the last couple of years, we fought back and able to scratch a 2-1 win out."
 
"I think they should a lot of guts today."
 
The game had turned into a physical battle in the second half as six yellow cards and a red card were handed out and it made scoring opportunities more difficult.
 
The Dons nearly got on the board in transition when David Romney's shot in the 77th minute from the left side went off the crossbar. USF got another chance in the 83rd minute when Vegard Karlsen delivered a free kick from the left side and found Jesus Del Toro who elevated and converted on a header to put the Dons up 2-1.
 
"From Day 1 we were saying if we want to be successful in the WCC we need at each position two quality Division I players," Visser said. "This is really the time before conference the time to find out where do we have the depth and I think the guys stepped up and showed we have good depth."
 
San Francisco changed the starting lineup drastically from its loss against Cal with seven different starters and that change nearly turned in early results on a number of occasions. Brady Jimison received a pass from Kyle MacLeod about 10 feet from the net and his shot was drilled right into the arms of San Jose State goalie Felix Petermann.
 
Jimison had another opportunity to get on the board in the 13th minute when Tyler Sylvia found him on a cross and Jimison's sliding kick sent the ball just wide of the net.
 
USF was on the attack for much of the first half but then San Jose State settled in and found its opportunities. In the 16th minute, Rory Knibbs took a cross from Frankie Beauchamp and found a hole past Connor Gaal to give the Spartans the early 1-0 lead.
 
It was the Spartans' first goal of the season.
 
But the Dons' aggressiveness finally paid off and in the 20th minute, Danny Kirkland blasted his free kick in for his second goal of the season and tied the game 1-1.
 
Kirkland took two other free kicks in the first half and his in the 33rd minute went just wide to the left of the net just past a diving Petermann.
 
NEXT MATCH
Thursday, Sept. 12
Opponent: Sacramento State
Location: Sacramento, Calif.
Time:  4 p.m.