COMING UP: 
Match #18
San Francisco Dons (11-3-3, 5-1-0) at Pacific Tigers (3-10-1, 2-4-0)
Friday, Oct. 30, 5 p.m. | Knoles Field | Stockton, Calif. 
Series Record: USF leads, 11-4-2
Last Meeting: USF won, 3-0; Nov. 8, 2014 at USF
Coverage: TheW.tv | Live Stats
 
Match #19
San Francisco Dons (11-3-3, 5-1-0) at Saint Mary's Gaels (7-7-3, 2-3-1)
Sunday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m. | Saint Mary's Stadium | Moraga, Calif.
Series Record: Saint Mary's leads, 22-8-1
Last Meeting: USF won, 2-0; Oct. 19, 2014 at USF
Coverage: TheW.tv | Live Stats

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Dons (11-3-3, 5-1-0) find themselves in the thick of the WCC title chase as they head into their final three matches of the regular season. USF is currently tied with LMU in first place as the Dons travel to Pacific for a 5 p.m. tilt on Friday, followed by an 11 a.m. contest at Saint Mary's on Sunday. Looking ahead, the Dons will close out the regular season at Portland on Nov. 7.    
 
LAST TIME OUT: The Dons had a historic week, defeating then-No. 5 BYU 2-1 at home behind Jessica Nakae's 82^nd-minute game-winner, before earning a 3-2 double overtime victory over San Diego at home this past Saturday as Sydnie Telson's golden goal header in the 104^th minute proved the difference on Senior Night. Against USD, the Dons also got penalty kick goals from Camille Wilson (23') and Samantha Jehnings (80'). Meanwhile, Micaela Mercado netted a penalty kick goal in the 71^st minute against BYU to tie the game and help setup Nakae's eventual game winner.  
 
SNAPSHOT: PACIFIC (3-10-1, 2-4-0)
The Tigers are coming off a 2-1 double overtime win at Saint Mary's this past weekend… they are 2-4-1 at home… they have been outscored 26-8 so far, and outshot 284-110… opponents hold a 96-20 advantage in corner kicks… Alex Hussar leads the team with four goals.
 
SNAPSHOT: SAINT MARY'S (7-7-3, 2-3-1)
The Gaels are coming off a 2-1 double overtime loss at home to Pacific… they 3-4-2 at home this year… SMC holds a 17-16 edge in goals over their opponents… the Gaels are being outshot 216-183… opponents hold a 92-49 advantage in corner kicks… Hannah Diaz is third in the WCC in points (14)… Julia McDonald is third in the WCC in saves (78).   
 
NOTES AND TIDBITS
• Jessica Nakae was named WCC Player of the Week this week; she is the third Don to take home the award this season, and second consecutive after Sonja Giraud (Oct. 19); Madalyn Schiffel won the award on Oct. 5; this was the first time in each player's career they have been named player of the week
• With three matches remaining, the Dons have at least assured their first winning season since 2004 when they went 10-7-3 overall and 3-4-0 in WCC play under Pamela Kalinoski, finishing tied for fourth in the WCC
• With 11 wins overall, the Dons are one win away from tying the program record of 12, established by the 1994 squad that went 12-6-1 (3-4-0)
• No. 5 BYU is the highest-ranked team the Dons have ever defeated; previously, the highest-ranked opponent USF had defeated came in 1993 when the Dons earned a 3-1 victory over then-No. 11 Washington State on the road. And in 2001, USF tied then-No. 6 Cal 3-3.
• The Dons now have two wins over top-20 opponents this year (No. 5 BYU on Oct. 22; No. 19 Santa Clara on Oct. 4)
• The Dons' 3-2 win over San Diego on Saturday was their first victory over the Toreros since Oct. 14, 2005 when USF pulled out a 2-1 double overtime victory in San Diego
• USF came in at No. 58 in the RPI rankings at the beginning of the week after sitting at No. 74 last week
• Prior to Thursday's win over BYU, the Dons had never defeated Cougars in five previous matches; prior to BYU joining the WCC in 2011, USF and BYU had only met once with then-No. 14 BYU topping the Dons 1-0 on Sept. 30, 2006 in Provo, Utah
• USF has outscored opponents 25-13 so far this season, including a 14-8 advantage in first-half scoring
• The Dons are 5-of-7 in penalty kick tries this year
• LMU snapped a 301-minute scoreless streak for the USF defense with the Lions' goal in the 17th minute in the Dons' 2-0 loss on Oct. 11
• The Dons snapped an 0-30-1 winless streak against Santa Clara with their win on Oct. 4
• Prior to their win at No. 19 Santa Clara (Oct. 4), the Dons' last win over a ranked opponent was a 2-0 victory over then-No. 22 Pepperdine on Oct. 22, 2006
• The Dons' 25 goals have been scored by 10 different players
• Amanda Whittle has established a new career high with five assists so far; she previously had four in 2014; she ranks third in the WCC

WCC STANDINGS
As of Oct. 26, 2015

TEAM	WCC	PTS	OVERALL
SAN FRANCISCO	5-1-0	15	11-3-3
LMU	5-1-0	15	11-4-1
#5 BYU	4-1-1	13	12-2-2
#20 SANTA CLARA	4-1-1	13	11-5-1
PEPPERDINE	3-3-0	9	8-6-2
SAINT MARY'S	2-3-1	7	7-7-3
PORTLAND	2-5-0	6	6-11-0
PACIFIC	2-4-0	6	3-10-1
GONZAGA	1-5-1	4	2-10-5
SAN DIEGO	1-5-0	3	3-12-2