SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Returning to their home pitch for the last of two regular season matches, the USF Dons women's soccer team (7-5-6, 2-3-3) battled hard on a cold night in the City as they were able to notch a late goal to take the 1-0 victory over the Portland Pilots at Negoesco Stadium on Thursday night. 

As both offenses were able to generate chances throughout, the Dons were able to break through with less than 10 minutes remaining in the match as Marissa Vasquez found the back of the net for the seventh time this year off an assist to Lindsey Chau as USF earned their second conference win of the season against a quality Portland team. Megan Nail recorded her second consecutive clean sheet as she was able to corral seven saves for the Dons who are unbeaten in their last five matches. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• The first 45 minutes of play under the cold and windy conditions on the Hilltop were an intense battle as neither side was able to get on the scoreboard despite an aggressive game plan from each side as the Pilots led the Dons in shots eight to six.
• Both goal keepers were on their games as well with each coming up with dazzling saves to keep each side off the board until Vasquez found an opportunity.
• At the 80 minute mark, Chau dribbled up field and beat her defender to set up Vasquez with a good look at the far left corner of the net. Marissa was able to fire a shot off her right foot that just beat the right hand of the Pilots' keeper to put USF up 1-0 to deliver the game winner.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Vasquez is now tied for fifth in the WCC with her seven goals on the season as she recorded three shots against the Pilots on Thursday.
• Chau delivered her team-leading third assist of the year to set up Vasquez's game winning goal. The Dons' freshman forward is now tied for third on the team with nine points in her debut season on the Hilltop.
• Nail has recorded back-to-back clean sheets in her return from an injury as she saved seven shots against Portland while picking up her fourth shut on the season.
• Leading the Dons' offensive attack all night, Alex Carpio, Jamesen Ward and Allison Kamansky each recorded three shots against the Pilots. 

POST GAME WITH THE DONS:

• To watch the highlights from tonight's 1-0 lead over the Pilots, please click here.
• To watch our interview with USF head women's soccer coach Jim Millinder, please click here.
• To watch our interview with Marissa Vasquez, please click here.
• To watch our interview with Megan Nail, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
The Dons now return home for their final home match of the 2022 regular season as they host fellow Bay Area rival the Saint Mary's Gaels on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. from Negoesco Stadium. Last season's match between the two programs ended with the Gaels winning 2-0 in Moraga. 

SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor - Provident Credit Union - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561. 

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF women's soccer program, be sure to follow @USFDonsWSoccer on Twitter, @USFDonsWSoccer on Instagram and @USFDonsWSOC on Facebook.