SAN FRANICSCO - USF will have to wait another year for a crack at posting its first-ever win over Portland.
 
Despite carrying the play for most of the evening and having an edge on shots, the Pilots made an early goal stand up and defeated the Dons, 1-0 at Negoesco Stadium
 
The loss is USF's first at home this season and drops the Dons record to 6-11-0 overall and 2-5-0 in the West Coast Conference. Portland improves to 9-5-3 and 3-3-1 in WCC action. With the win, Portland's unbeaten streak against USF reached 30 matches (28-0-2). The Dons have managed just three goals in the last 16 matches against the Pilots.
  Portland scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal just 4:02 into the game, when senior Ellie Boon gathered a corner kick from Allison Wetherington in crowded goal crease and was able to slip a shot past USF keeper Makayla Presgrave for her first goal of the season.
 
"It was a soft goal and we need to do better in that situation," said USF head coach Jim Millinder. "Our start was very disappointing. We're doing some really nice things at time but we can't be making mistakes in our defensive third at pivotal times of the match."
 
The Dons outshot the Pilots, 11-10 and had five legitimate scoring chances in the second half. At the 51 minute mark, Micaela Mercado fed freshman Miciah Madison racing down the middle of the field chased by Portland's Lucy Davidson. Madison's shot just inside the box missed wide left and the Pilots maintained their 1-0 lead.
 
Minutes later, Sonja Giraud turned a Portland defender but had her shot blocked in the box.
 
With 18 minutes left in the game, Portland keeper Rachel Lusby made a sprawling save of a blast off the foot of Amanda Whittle.
 
At the 80 minute mark, junior Camille Wilson missed a header high and to the right off a beautiful cross from Madison.
 
The Dons last chance to tie the game came at the 82 minute mark, but a blast from Giraud sailed over the top of the cross bar.
 
"I thought we dominated the play but it's not good enough," said Millinder. "That was a game we should have won tonight and we let it slip away. We didn't start out fast enough tonight, gave up a soft goal and were chasing the game all night long. We've played well enough to win our last three matches but mistakes are costing us and we are beating ourselves."
 
USF will return to action Sunday afternoon against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Negoesco Stadium.