RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The USF men's soccer team suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of UC Riverside on Thursday evening as the Highlanders' Norberto Ochoa registered a hat trick on the night.

Santiago Digiuseppe led the Dons (2-3-0) with five shots, including three shots on frame, while Manny Padilla and David Garrett each tallied a pair of shots.  

UC Riverside (2-3-0) took a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute when Luis Iniguez intercepted a pass near midfield and helped set up Ochoa's first score of the night, a 15-yard strike.

Ochoa then took advantage of a scrum in front of the box and added to the Highlanders' lead with a goal in the 55th minute, followed by a one-on-one chance that he converted into his third and final goal just three minutes later.

Overall, Ochoa fired off seven shots in the contest, five of which were on goal.

The Dons carried the advantage in shots during the first half by a 9-6 tally, but UC Riverside grabbed offensive momentum coming out of the half, outshooting USF 12-5 in the second frame.

USF just missed out on a chance in the 39th minute when, trying to seize momentum after UCR's first goal had been scored, Digiuseppe delivered a shot that was deflected by UCR keeper Vincent Morales, but Kevin Gould's follow up in the box was knocked away by the defense to preserve the 1-0 UCR lead.   

Andre Glasnovic collected five saves in goal for the Dons, and was matched by Morales' five stops.

The Dons return to the pitch when they travel to take on another Big West opponent in Cal State Fullerton on Sunday with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.