SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's soccer team made its spring 2021 debut a triumphant one, defeating rival Santa Clara 2-0 on Sunday evening at Negoesco Stadium.  The Dons have now won three-straight are remain perfect in conference play.
 
USF (3-2-0, 2-0-0 WCC) finished the night with four fewer shots than the Broncos (10-6), but the Dons put the same number of shots on goal.
 
The two sides played pretty evenly in the first 45 minutes with Santa Clara (0-2-0, 0-1-0 WCC) outshooting the Dons 6-3.
 
Early in the second half Nonso Adimabua broke the scoreless tie in the 51^st minute with his first collegiate goal. Kevyn Lo sent a through pass that set up Adimabua one on one against the Bronco's goalie and the Dons' freshman blasted a shot on the ground past the keeper for the game winning goal.  
 
The Dons got their insurance goal in the 70^th minute when Rodrigo Bueno sent a free kick toward the goal. Adimabua sent a header towards Gabriel Bracken Serra who sent a header to the right side of the goal for his first collegiate goal.
 
Alejandro Munoz (2-0-0) got the start for the Dons and earned the clean sheet, collecting three saves – two in the second half to preserve the shutout. Guillem Bandenes Mecho (0-2-0) took the loss for the Broncos.
 
"It's another step in the right direction," said second year head coach Leonard Griffin. "I think our guys battled hard and matched the intensity that Santa Clara brought. Once things evened out we were able to string some things together with our attack and were able to convert. In the second half, our back line did a good job weathering the storm and preserving the shutout. Another step forward, but still a lot to work on.  But for a young team, I'm obviously very pleased with our 2-0 start in conference."
 
The Dons will return to the pitch on Sunday, March 14 when they host San Diego.  Sunday's matinee is slated for a 2:00 p.m. start time.