STANFORD, Calif. - Gabriel Bracken Serra scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute as the University of San Francisco men's soccer team (6-2-4) upset No. 9 Stanford, 2-1, Thursday evening at Maloney Field at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.

Late-game heroics from Olivier Sylvain and Bracken-Serra propelled the Dons as the team snapped Stanford 18-game nonconference unbeaten streak. The win over the Cardinal also marked the first time the Dons have knocked off a nationally ranked opponent since the 2018 season when the program defeated No. 7 Portland, 2-1, at Negoesco Stadium. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• The Dons held firm in the first half, only allowing five total shots from the Cardinal. Bracken-Serra notched the first shot for the Dons, missing left of the frame at the 19-minute mark. Elias Thomas recorded the team's first shot on goal two minutes later, which the Cardinal keeper saved. 
• Stanford got on the board first, with Will Rielly burying a penalty kick in the 34th minute, putting the Cardinal up 1-0.
• Kaleb Afsari put the pressure on Stanford early in the second half, recording a shot on goal three minutes after the halftime whistle. The Cardinal responded quickly with multiple shots as the two teams went back and forth.
• The Dons evened the scoring late in the second half, with Kian Jones beginning the scoring play on a throw-in deep in Cardinal territory in the 85th minute. Sylvain received the pass from Jones, heading the ball into the back of the net, putting the Dons on the board.
• Just over five minutes later, Bracken Serra netted the game-winner, assisted by Zane Alafranji, at the 89:47 mark to secure the upset win for San Francisco.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES 

• San Francisco totaled nine shots, seven on goal, throughout the match, and a solid defensive effort held Stanford to just three shots on goal.
• Bracken Serra continued to impress on the attack, recording his team-leading sixth goal of the season, alongside two shots with a .500 shots-on-goal percentage.
• Sylvain's one shot during the match resulted in a goal, adding to his season total of 30 shots, ranking him first in the WCC in shots.
• Eric Waltz nearly shut out the Cardinal in goal, holding Stanford to just one goal while recording two saves.

CATCHING UP WITH COACH BROWN:
"What a great team win tonight. We showed a lot of character and resilience coming back from a penalty kick and scored two great goals with 10 minutes to go. We wanted to play toe to toe with one of the best teams in the country, and we did that. An excellent performance from so many guys, and we can't wait to get back to conference play."

UP NEXT:
San Francisco will return to WCC play at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 when it faces off against Pacific in Stockton at Knoles Field.
 
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the San Francisco men's soccer program, be sure to follow @USFDonsMSoccer on Twitter, @USFDonsMenssoccer on Instagram and @USFDonsMSoccer on Facebook.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Get your official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore today! Click here to purchase.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsor – Planet Orange - 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.