University of San Francisco Athletics

Box Score
 
 
Follow San Francisco Men's Soccer: FACEBOOK | TWITTER
 
SAN FRANCISCO—After a highly emotional win over No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, the Dons kept the pressure on Central Arkansas throughout the match and it finally paid off with two second half goals en route to the 2-0 win Sunday afternoon.
 
It is San Francisco's third straight victory and marked the first winning streak of at least three matches since 2011 when the Dons (4-1-0) won four straight from Sept. 25 to Oct. 5.
 
"After Friday night's start, we challenged the guys today to come out with a better approach and they definitely did that," San Francisco head coach Eddie Soto said. "At halftime, we talked to the guys about being patient, that for us it was going to come and those wide channels is where we had a good day and that's how we got that goal."
 
David Romney and Manny Padilla were the initiators of the offense throughout the match. In the first half, it was Romney who created several chances for the Dons as they were able to get off four shots and three corner kicks within the first 15 minutes of play. USF outshot Central Arkansas 8-to-1 at half.
 
Later in the half, the Dons got another good chance when Romney collected a loose ball at the top of the box and took a shot only to have it graze off of a Central Arkansas defender.
 
"Unfortunately, they weren't rewarded for their play but it was really, really positive," Soto said. "We were dangerous, we kept the ball. We just couldn't get the ball in the back of the net."
 
In the second half, it was Padilla who was the creator and his pressure finally paid off when in the 62nd minute, he drove down the right side of the field and found a streaking Sixto Porras at the foot of the goal for the score and a 1-0 lead. The Dons had outshot the Bears 11-1 to that point.
 
"The two of them were really good and they gave us a lot in the attacking third," Soto said. "Dave gave some great crosses in the first half. Manny got himself involved in the run up plays. It was good for the two of them to get involved and that's what we need when we're pushing numbers forward."
 
It was Porras' first goal since Aug. 26, 2012 when he scored twice against San Jose State, including the game-winner.
 
"For him to get his goal, he's been training really well and he's been patient for his time," Soto said. "I'm glad to see that his hard work paid off."
 
The San Francisco defense took care of the rest as it relied on a stellar performance from two freshmen, Justin Schottenhammer and Mitchell McPartland.
 
"I thought the two of them really came out composed," Soto said. "I'm proud to see that they weren't phased."
 
Miguel Aguilar sealed the match in the 89th minute with a breakaway goal, beating UCA goalkeeper Harrison Veith with a crossover dribble to he left.
 
The Dons will hit the pitch again on Friday when they take on Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo at 8 p.m.