VIDEO: Post-game presser
SAN FRANCISCO – Sonja Giraud scored the equalizer in the 75^th minute, followed less than two minutes later by Amanda Whittle's game winner that helped the Dons post a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over UC Riverside on Sunday afternoon from Negoesco Stadium.
 
It marked the second consecutive game that Giraud and Whittle tallied goals after Friday night's 2-1 win over Florida Gulf Coast and the second time in as many games that USF scored within the final 15 minutes en route to a win.
 
"We played the way we wanted to play," said head coach Jim Millinder, "but I kept wondering is the time going to run out on us."
 
UC Riverside (0-1-1) got out to an early lead when Tayler Dragoo took advantage of a USF turnover inside the box to score the first goal of the game in the 8^th minute.
 
USF (2-0-0) kept things in check from that point, while finding more offensive chances in the second half.
 
Whittle just missed on a goal in the 54^th minute when she hit the crossbar with Giraud unable to corral the rebound in front of the net and punch it in. 
 
In the 74^th minute, Miciah Madison had her attempt bounce off the crossbar, again keeping the Dons scoreless.
 
"That's soccer," said Millinder. "We hit the post a couple times, but we all know nothing is ever a given when we play the game. We just have to get that little round thing over the line."
 
Finally, late in the second half Giraud took Madison's pass from the endline and converted the shot right in front of the net to tie the contest at 1-1. Whittle then slotted in the game winner just inside the far post from a tough angle along the endline to put USF up 2-1.
 
The Dons pitched in collectively on defense to help keep UC Riverside from adding on.  Reigning WCC co-Defensive Player of the Year Ali Schaffer was able to boot away a loose ball in traffic in front of the goal early in the second half that looked like it might put the Dons in a 2-0 hole.   
"It's a team effort," added Millinder. "That's how we're going to continue getting results is for us all to do our part."
 
Makayla Presgrave picked up her second victory in goal by recording four saves.
 
USF outshot UC Riverside 11-9 after a quiet first half that had just four shots between both teams.
 
UP NEXT: The Dons head out on the road for a pair of nonconference matchups with Big West opponents next week. USF travels to Cal Poly for a 7 p.m. tilt on Aug. 26 followed by a 1 p.m. contest at UC Santa Barbara on Aug. 28.