Women's Soccer | 9/27/2016 4:26:00 PM
THIS WEEK
San Francisco at San Diego
Thursday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
Audio/Video Stream: TheW.tv
STATS | WATCH
San Francisco at #2/3 BYU
Monday, Oct. 3, 4:30 p.m. (PDT)
Audio/Video Stream: BYU Radio / BYUtv
STATS | WATCH | LISTEN
Complete Game Notes [PDF]
The USF women's soccer team opens up West Coast Conference play on Thursday with a 7 p.m. kickoff at San Diego, followed by a 4:30 p.m. tilt against No. 2 BYU in Provo on Monday. Thursday's contest will be streamed live on TheW.tv, while Monday's game will be available on BYUtv with audio available via BYU Radio (SiriusXM 143).
In their most recent action, USF (4-6-0) lost to No. 21 Cal on the road by a 4-1 margin before returning home to defeat UC Davis 1-0 to close out nonconference play. Cal jumped out to a 3-0 lead before
Jessica Nakae netted her first goal of the season in the 60th minute.
Against the Aggies, USF picked up a goal from
Micaela Mercado - her second of the season - in the 6th minute and let their defense do the rest. Freshman
Olivia Camera earned a shutout in her first career start, making six saves in the process.
The Dons were in the midst of a hot streak when USD and USF met last October as a golden goal by USF's
Sydnie Telson in double overtime helped give the Dons their first win over the Toreros since 2005. USF posted its biggest win in program history last season by upsetting then-No. 5 BYU 2-1 at Negoesco Stadium. Not only was it the Dons' first win over BYU in six meetings, but it was the highest-ranked opponent USF had ever defeated.
Always looking to get off to a positive start in WCC action, USF is 3-2 in conference openers over the past five years. Last season the Dons topped No. 19 Santa Clara on the road to kick off WCC play.
San Diego (5-4-1) comes into the week after posting a 1-0 win over Cal State Fullerton this past Friday at home. Jacqueline Altschuld leads the USD attacked with three goals and three assists on the year. As a team, the Toreros rank among the middle of the pack in goals (13, t-5th) and are tied for 8th in goals against average (1.33).
Meanwhile, BYU (9-1-0) has won eight straight heading into the week. Their lone blemish this year was a 1-0 loss to Nebraska back in August. BYU found themselves ranked No. 2 overall by Top Drawer Soccer this week, and No. 3 by the NSCAA. The Cougars are 4th in the nation in scoring offense, averaging three goals per game, and lead the conference in most categories, including goals (30), assists (31) and sit at 2nd in goals against average (0.69). Ashley Hatch leads the NCAA in goals (12) while Nadia Gomes ranks 3rd in assists (8).
Looking ahead, the Dons host Saint Mary's in their conference home opener on Oct. 7, followed by another home matchup against Pacific on Oct. 9.
