SAN DIEGO – The USF men's soccer team worked a 0-0 draw with San Diego on Friday night at Torero Stadium. The Dons (6-10-1, 4-1-1) held firm on defense despite a strong offensive push by San Diego to remain in the hunt for the West Coast Conference title. 

With the regular season finale coming up next Saturday, Nov. 14, the Dons will need to defeat LMU at home, while having the Toreros lose at Santa Clara.  

San Diego controlled most of the first half on Friday night, outshooting USF 12-2. 

The Toreros (10-4-3, 5-0-1) threatened in the 14th minute as Patrick Mcgrath took a cross from the right wing and fired a shot from about 15 yards out straight on that he crushed just high of the net. 

San Diego had another good chance in the 21st minute when Keegan Smith handled a long pass in front of the goal, but Andre Glasnovic and two USF defenders used their advantage to pounce on it before Smith could get a clean shot off.  

"In the first half we started really good and had good energy," said second-year head coach Eddie Soto. "Then things kind of slowed down a little bit for us and they took over. It was a situation where we had a little of the game, then they had a little of the game. Our guys were excited, motivated and confident tonight. The pressure was on San Diego. We didn't want them to celebrate on the field like last year and I'm very happy with how our guys competed."
 
The Dons started to chip away early in the second half. USF had one of their best chances when Davi Ramos intercepted a pass on the USF side of the pitch and sent a long through pass to Bryce Kaminski on a breakaway, but Kaminski's attempt was blocked, while Ramos' follow up was swatted away by a diving Thomas Olsen in goal for the Toreros. 

In the 62nd minute, Santiago Digiuseppe crossed one into the box from the right wing, but David Garrett's touch from inside the six-yard box went right into the hands of Olsen.

"We made some adjustments in the second half and we really took it to them," said Soto. "We made some changes in midfield; had Santi [Digiuseppe] push down in midfield a little more which allowed us to hold possession more." 

San Diego's Marvin Schmiege just missed on the game-winner for the Toreros when his line drive sailed wide left by inches in the 94th minute. 

Overall, San Diego held a commanding 24-8 edge in shots on the night and 15-1 margin in corner kicks. Despite the overwhelming advantage San Diego had statistically, Soto credited his defense with the result. 

"We were awesome defensively. They had a lot of corners, which are a strength of theirs. But we were really organized and aggressive and had a good mentality that we weren't going to give up any little plays." 

Glasnovic tallied five saves in goal for the Dons. 

Kickoff between USF and LMU on Nov. 14 is slated for 6 p.m. The Dons' two seniors – Jesus Del Toro and Kevin Gould - will be honored prior to the game.