This game also featured freshmen in key roles; besides Voiland and Yamamoto, midfielder Steph Steinhart, who had an assist, midfielder Heather Wright, and forward Killough starred in the win. "The second half was great," said Abel, who also had three assists. "We were satisfied." Bryant gave much credit for the win to emerging freshmen. "The freshmen have done an outstanding job," she said. "They are all skilled (and) they have this attitude. They are not afraid to win." "They're hungry," added Abel. Looking back on the week (the Dons also won two exhibition games prior to the Sacramento State game), Verhees was pleased by what he saw. "Well, the chemistry is good... I think they play like we are a team," he said. "It's nothing but a real positive environment right now." Verhees gave credit to the freshmen who have played such a large role in the quick 3-0 start, singling out a few. "They want to get a spot (and) they've been opportunistic. Steinhart has been a cornerstone. Killough is part of the scoring arsenal. We have so many alternatives."
On Wednesday September 24, the Dons overwhelmed their fellow West Coast Conference Loyola-Marymount Lions 3-0 on a Negoesco field engulfed by fog. Denise Kenyon struck first at 14:43 with a ground-ball goal to the left corner from 12 yards out. Kenyon was assisted by both Erin Killough and Kishandee Green when Killough moved down the left side, and crossed the ball to Green who found Kenyon open in front of the net. Killough extended the Dons lead to 2-0 when she lofted an unassisted 15 yard shot into the upper right corner at 24:46.
Killough crossed the length of the field to violently push St. Mary's Erin Johnson toward the crowd filled sidelines. Police and USF event staff members stepped in to break up the fight when the referee lost control. The referee then handed red cards to Killough, for fighting, and Hood because he could not determine who was at fault for St. Mary's. "Erin had no business fighting even though St. Mary's team was playing very irritably," said Verhees. "She deserved to be red carded." Goals for both teams were scored early in the second half. At 45:30, St. Mary's Susan Potocny shot a goal into the lower left corner past USF goalkeeper Sandy Draghi. Amy Yamamoto tied the game at 57:00 with a goal from 18-yard out. She was assisted by co-captain Kelly Bryant. "We definitely have a serious rivalry with St. Mary's," Bryant commented after the game. "Overall we played well and showed a lot of heart (TheFoghorn)."
