PORTLAND – The University of San Francisco women's soccer team saw its recent string of good luck in overtime games come to an end when host Portland (5-5-4/1-3-2 WCC) scored the game winning goal in the 102
nd minute to defeat the Dons (10-5-2/3-2-1 WCC) 2-1 at Merlo Field on Saturday night.
"Hard fought game," said head coach
Jim Millinder. "It was our fourth consecutive overtime game. I think we got off to a good start. We played really well in the first 45 minutes. Then we conceded an own goal two minutes into the start of the second half and our kids heads dropped a little after that. But throughout the second half I felt it was anyone's game, especially going into overtime. But credit to Portland, they were able to secure the game winning goal. We've got to recover and look forward to BYU. We are disappointed that's for sure, but at the end of the day we can't be disappointed for two long because we have a big match coming up."
HOW IT HAPPENED
• USF took the early 1-0 lead when
Ashley Humphrey twice rebounded her own shot and on the third attempt sent it past the Pilots' keeper. Humphrey was all over the field for the Dons in the first half, amassing six shots with two on goal. The six shots in the opening period were a career-high in a game for Humphrey.
• The Dons backline was tremendous in the final two minutes of the opening half. USF recorded a team save on an empty net. In that same sequence,
Olivia Camera (10-5-3) picked up one of her eight saves on the night, to preserve the 1-0 advantage. USF went into the locker room with a one goal lead and outshot the Pilots 8-6, but UP had a 4-2 shots on goal advantage. Camera had three saves in the half.
• Early in the second half a defensive miscue by the Dons proved costly. As an own goal knotted the game up at 1-1. The Pilots took control offensively and outshot the Dons 9-5 in the second half but the stout play by Camera sent the game into overtime.
• In the first overtime, the Dons took back the momentum outshooting the Pilots 2-1 but were unable to send a shot past UP keeper Madison Zamora who had five saves of her own on the evening. Early in the second overtime, Taryn Reis sent a header past Camera low in the box off the assist from Larkin Russell for the game-winning goal.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
4: Tonight's contest was the Dons fourth-straight double-overtime game, USF had gone 2-0-1 in the previous contests.
6: Overall, tonight was the sixth overtime game for USF on the year, they are 2-2-2 in games that go extra time. On the road, the Dons are 1-2-1.
6: The goal by Humphrey was her sixth of the season – a new career-high. For her career, she now has 10.
NEXT UP
The Dons will get a week off before taking on BYU on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. at Negoesco Stadium. The game will be streamed live on The WCC Network and will feature live stats.
