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SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons took a one-goal lead into halftime and looked primed to remain in the West Coast Conference race but surrendered two goals after the break as San Diego beat USF 2-1 on Sunday afternoon to claim the WCC championship.
 
"It wasn't the prettiest game for us but it was a game where we needed a result and for a while we were doing what we needed to," San Francisco head coach Eddie Soto said. "Unfortunately, our guys really got into a defensive mindset and you can't defend like that for a game and hope for a result.
 
"The fact that we're sitting here disappointed that we didn't win the game with two games to go… it's good. We're going in the right direction. These experiences will make us better in the long run."
 
San Francisco (9-6-2, 3-2-0 WCC) came into the match trailing San Diego by six points and needed to secure at least a tie to have a chance at their first conference championship since 2008. After a good first half, it looked like the Dons may secure that opportunity.
 
The Toreros nearly took a quick lead when in the eighth minute, Kyle Macleod had a look from inside the six-yard box  but it went wide and found its way to the foot of Keegan Smith, who fired but right into the arms of Chase Hauser.
 
San Diego controlled most of the possession early on against the Dons but they weathered the storm, started to gain some rhythm and were able to capitalize midway through the half. In the 25th minute, David Garrett took a pass from Miguel Aguilar in the left flat and fired to the right post for the goal, giving the Dons a 1-0 lead.
 
San Diego had a chance to respond about a minute later when Torrey DeArmas dribbled through the Dons defense into the penalty box but had his shot go off the diving hands of Hauser.
 
The Dons goalkeeper finished with a career-high 10 saves on the afternoon.
 
The Dons nearly tacked on another in the 30th minute when Aguilar found Aaron Lombardi alone in the box and he wound up for the shot but had it blocked and cleared by San Diego.
 
San Francisco had beaten San Diego 2-0 in their matchup last month and seemed to be ready to repeat the feat.
 
After an active first half, Garrett got the start in the second half and almost added onto the lead when he rose to receive the corner kick delivery and headed it towards the goal but it was knocked away by San Diego goalkeeper Drew Ilijevski.
 
San Francisco seemed to have taken a 2-0 lead on a set piece in the 59th minute when David Romney delivered a cross from the end line in to Gould for the header and the goal but it was erased by an offsides call.
 
Then the Toreros picked up the intensity.
 
San Diego evened up the contest in the 70th minute when they got a foul call in the penalty box and Keegan Smith was able to capitalize with the equalizer. The Toreros took 13 shots in the second half and put nine on goal.
 
"We got away from our game plan, guys kind of went into a shell," Soto said. "Give credit to USD, they kept fighting, kept pressing and found a way to win it. That's what championship teams do."
 
San Diego broke the tie in the 88th minute when Macleod caught a cross in the center of the box and found the lower right corner for the score.
 
The Dons will wrap up the season with a trip to Pacific and back home for Senior Night against Santa Clara on Saturday.