Game Notes (PDF)
AT A GLANCE:
SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's soccer team travels to Berkeley to take on the University of California in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday's contest against the Golden Bears is a rematch from earlier in the season, which saw Cal end up the victors in a 3-2 shootout. In the 82nd minute, and the score level at 2-2, Cal's junior midfielder Shinya Kadono scored his second of the game to give Cal the 3-2 lead, which proved to be the winning goal.
USF (9-8, 6-1 WCC) was crowned West Coast Conference Champions on Saturday, finishing the regular season with a 2-1 win over Loyola Marymount. A brace from junior midfielder Sean Bowman highlighted the match. In the 35th minute, Bowman headed home a floated cross from senior midfielder Aaron Lombardi. In the second half, Bowman scored the winning goal as he fired a shot into the back of the net. The win over LMU was the sixth straight for the Dons, making it eight wins in their final nine matches.
Cal (11-6, 6-4 Pac-12) enters Thursday's contest looking to bounce back from a tough 1-0 loss to Pac-12 winners Stanford. The Golden Bears finished second in the Pac-12, 10 points behind the Cardinal. Junior midfielder Shinya Kadono leads Cal in goals with seven, while redshirt-senior Jose Carerra-Garcia leads the Golden Bears in points with 17. Sophomore goalkeeper Drake Callender has boasts a goals against average of 1.22.
This is the first time since 2008 that the Dons have made it to the NCAA Tournament. Over their illustrious history, USF has won six national championships while making 32 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Dons fans are invited to join the athletic department as they head
to Cal to support men's soccer in their first round matchup of the NCAA Tournament. Fans who RVSP will get free USF gear and a free ticket to the match against Cal on Thursday.
The winner of this match will move on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament to face Louisville on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2:00 p.m. PT.
COACHES QUOTES:
Match #18
San Francisco (9-8-0, 6-1-0 WCC) at Cal (11-6, 6-4 WCC)
Thursday, Nov. 16 | 1:30 p.m. PT
Edwards Stadium (22,000)
Audio/Video: www.calbears.com
Live Stats | Video
QUICK HITS
- The Dons finished the regular season tied for first in the WCC in goals (35) with Portland, putting them at 27th in the country. They are second in the league in both points (104) and assists (34). USF's assist total puts them at 22nd in the country.
- In his fourth season, head coach Eddie Soto earned WCC Coach of the Year.
- Senior midfielder Leon Schwarzer was named Player of the Year in the WCC, he scored six goals and added seven assists.
- Junior midfielder Sean Bowman finished second in the league in goals (9).
- Senior Aaron Lombardi is finished second in the league in assists (9)
