SAN FRANCISCO - The USF women's soccer team posted a decisive 4-0 victory over Denver on Friday night at Negoesco Stadium as the Dons (3-1-1) scored all their goals in the first half. USF maintained their high pressure approach on offense throughout the majority of the contest.

This was the highest goal total for the Dons since a 4-1 win over Sacramento State on Aug. 31, 2013.

"I've been waiting for us to break out and have a big game," said fourth-year head coach Jim Millinder after the match, "and it happened to be today. We jumped on them early; [Jessica] Nakae scored a great goal to start us off and everybody kind of joined in. Everybody got a match today as well, which is good for the team. We're happy with the result today, it's one game, but it's a good result for us."

Jessica Nakae got the scoring started in the fourth minute when she was looking around for a teammate to dish it off to, but decided to take matters into her own hands and lofted a shot from 25 yards out that fell just beyond the outstretched glove of Denver keeper Cassidy Rey. The goal was Nakae's first of the season.

The Dons kept the pressure up the entire first half, hardly allowing any Denver opportunities. The pressure paid off for USF as they tallied their second goal of the contest in the 27th minute when Amanda Whittle delivered a corner kick into the box that was deflected around like a pinball before Sonja Giraud punched it in to put USF up 2-0 and notch her second goal of the year.

About three minutes later, the Dons benefitted from a lucky bounce after Rochelle Weerackoon dribbled up the right wing and fired a cross into the center of the box intended for Tiara Webb, but instead the pass was deflected in by a Denver defender from about 15 yards out for an own goal that gave the Dons a 3-0 advantage.

Weerackoon contributed to the Dons' next goal a minute later as she lofted a cross into the box from the left wing that found Micaela Mercado dashing toward the goal in the center of the box. Mercado was all alone and redirected the pass into the net from 12 yards out, giving Mercado her first-career goal.

The Dons outshot Denver (0-4-1) 16-7 on the day and held an 8-5 advantage in corner kicks.

Madalyn Schiffel (3-1-1) picked up the win for the Dons, while recording three saves and notching her fourth shutout of the year. Cassidy Rey (0-4-1) took the loss for the Pioneers and had four saves in goal.    

The Dons return to the pitch on Sunday morning when they host Hawai'i at 11 a.m. at Negoesco Stadium.