Women's Soccer | 9/14/2016 2:24:00 PM

THIS WEEK
San Francisco at #21 California
Friday, Sept. 16, 2 p.m. | Berkeley, Calif.    
Audio/Video Stream: Pac-12 Network
STATS | WATCH

San Francisco vs. UC Davis
Sunday, Sept. 18, 4 p.m. | Negoesco Stadium    
Audio/Video Stream: TheW.tv
STATS | WATCH

Complete Game Notes [PDF]

The USF women's soccer team concludes nonconference play this weekend when they travel across the Bay to take on the 21st-ranked Cal Bears at 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon before returning to Negoesco Stadium for their first home game since Aug. 21 to host UC Davis on Sunday for a 4 p.m. kickoff.

Friday's action will be streamed live on the Pac-12 Networks with Joe Castellano (play-by-play) and Danielle Slaton (analyst) on the call. Sunday's contest can be seen live on TheW.tv as USF's broadcast tandem of Charles Wollin (play-by-play) and Joe Dugan (analyst) bring you the action.  

USF (3-5-0) snapped a four-game skid by splitting its two contests in Pac-12 territory this past weekend with a 2-1 double overtime win over Arizona State, followed by a 1-0 shutout at the hands of Arizona. Micaela Mercado made her first goal of the season a big one when she fired off a 40-yard prayer with 48 seconds left on the clock that served as the game winner over ASU. Likewise, freshman Kristina Krehbiel picked an opportune time for her first collegiate goal when she netted the equalizer in the 80th minute that helped force overtime.

Against the Wildcats, USF was blanked for the second time this season while being outshot 13-5. It was a scoreless contest until UA scored the game winner in the 70th minute.  

The Dons now have wins over Pac-12 opponents in each of the past two seasons after posting a 1-0 win at Oregon early last year. Prior to that, USF had not defeated a Pac-12 opponent since Oregon State in 2004. Friday's matchup at Cal will be the Dons' third Pac-12 opponent in a row and will wrap up a season-long seven game road swing, while Sunday's game vs. UC Davis will be USF's fourth Big West opponent this year.

The Dons are 2-4 against ranked opponents over the last three seasons with both of those wins coming last year: a 1-0 win at No. 19 Santa Clara and a 2-1 upset over No. 5 BYU, the highest-ranked opponent USF has ever defeated.

Cal (6-2-0) comes into the week ranked No. 21 in the NSCAA Top-25 after having won five of their last six. The Bears split nonconference contests this past weekend, falling at Saint Mary's 2-0 before shutting out UC Davis 4-0 at home. Kelly Fitzgerald paces the Bears' offense with 3 goals and an assist. Goalkeeper Emily Boyd leads the nation in shutouts (6). Cal owns a 16-3-2 advantage in the all-time series after winning last year's meeting 2-0 at Negoesco Stadium.  

Meanwhile, UC Davis (3-4-1) split their two games this past week, a 3-0 home win over Portland State and a 4-0 loss to Cal. UC Davis played at Negoesco Stadium previously this season when they matched up with Florida Gulf Coast in a neutral contest on Aug. 21. Celina Minissian leads the Aggies with three goals on the year. UC Davis holds a 9-5-3 edge all-time over USF, but the Dons earned a 1-0 victory in their last meeting in 2014. 

Looking ahead, the Dons kickoff West Coast Conference play on the road on Sept. 29 when they travel to San Diego and follow that up with an Oct. 3 date at BYU.      
 

---

Adult single-game tickets are available to see the Dons on the newly renovated pitch at Negoesco Stadium for just $10. Seniors and recent alumni who have graduated from USF within the past 10 years can acquire seats for $5 per seat. Back by popular demand, USF faculty, staff and students and youth 12 and under enter Negoesco Stadium free all fall. Fans wishing to secure a season ticket can do so at an affordable price of $40 per fall sport.

Returning for the 2016-17 season, fans can acquire an All-Sports Pass, which includes general admission access to over 90 USF sporting events throughout the athletic calendar spanning not only the men's and women's soccer and volleyball seasons but also men's and women's basketball and baseball in the spring at the brand new Benedetti Diamond.

Single-game and season ticket options are available online, or patrons can call the ticket office at 415.422.2USF (2873) for questions or to secure your All-Sports Pass today.