SAN FRANCISCO – After 45 minutes of scoreless soccer the University of San Francisco women's soccer rode a big second half, scoring three times in the final period, to secure a crucial win over visiting Portland on a historic Sunday at Negoesco Stadium. In the win,
Miciah Madison set USF single-season record for assists with her 11
th of the year.
USF (10-5-2, 3-1-2) climbed back into the top half of the West Coast Conference standings after emerging with the victory on Sunday afternoon. USF had control throughout most of the contest, outshooting the Pilots (10-7-0, 3-3-0 WCC) 23-11, including a 13-5 advantage in the first half.
Immediately after the intermission, the Dons got on the board in the 46
th minute when
Miciah Madison sent a gorgeous pass to
Micaela Mercado who sent a cross to a wide open
Samantha Jehnings who banged it home for her 11
th goal of the season. The assist was Madison's 11
th of the year, a new program record, breaking Jannik Abel's longstanding record that was set in 1994.
Nine minutes later it was Madison's turn to send one past the keeper when she scored on a header in the box on the corner kick by
Karley Weeks, it was Madison's 4
th of the season. UP cut the Dons' lead in half in the 62
nd minute when Taryn Ries scored her 15
th goal of the year when she ended up with a loose ball in the box for the easy score.
Nursing a 2-1 lead,
Bethan Parry recorded her first collegiate goal in the 72
nd minute when
Sydney Cooper found Parry in the box and beat the Pilots keeper with a header to the near post.
The excitement did not end there. With a 3-1 lead, Portland scored again on a goal by Kendra Steele in the 81
st minute and was hunting for the equalizer in the closing minutes but was turned away time and again by the USF defense.
Molly Eby got the win for the Dons, she improves to 7-2-1. She was credited with two saves on the day, none bigger than the assist that came late in the first half that turned away a wide open look by the Pilots to preserve a scoreless tie.
GAME NOTES
- With the win on Sunday, the Dons have won back-to-back contests against the Pilots for the first time ever. USF is now 2-28-2 all-time against the Pilots. They earned the first ever win last year in a 2-1 win in overtime.
- Samantha Jehning's 11th goal of the season moves her in to sole possession of third most in a single-season. Her 11 goals trails second place Jannik Abel (1994) and Kelly Bryant (1994) with 13.
- Miciah Madison is rapidly climbing the career totals for assists. Her 11 this season – a program record – gives her 13 for her career which is seventh most all time. In sixth is Shelli Silva (1991-94) who had 14 for her career. The career record is 29 sent by Shanna Haines (1986-89).
- With the win, USF improves to 10-7-0, it is just the ninth time in program history the Dons have won 10 or more games. Head coach Jim Millinder now has two seasons of 10 or more wins. The Dons' legendary skipper now has 202 wins at the Division I level and 311 for his career among all levels.
COACH'S QUOTE
NEXT UP
The Dons head back on the road for their last road trip of the regular season. The trip begins with a match up against BYU on Thursday, Oct 25 at 6:00 p.m. in Provo. The Cougars enter Thursday's contest with 15 points in the WCC standings. On Sunday, USF travels to San Diego to take on the Toreros at 11 a.m. USF currently has an 11-9 lead over USD in the standings.
