Mauricio Diaz De Leon Scores First Career Goal for the Dons
(Portland, OR) – USF men's soccer tied the match at 1-1 on the first career scoring strike by freshman midfielder Mauricio Diaz De Leon, but Portland scored two unanswered goals late to seize a 3-1 West Coast Conference victory Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. The Dons (2-9-2, 0-5-1 WCC) drop their second consecutive match in the Pacific Northwest to the Pilots (7-2-4, 4-1-1 WCC) after a 3-1 loss at Gonzaga Friday.
Diaz De Leon provided the big highlight for the Dons in the 41st minute with an impressive equalizer. Less than 10 minutes removed from sending a rocket from 25 yards off the crossbar, the San Diego product fired a shot to the upper left corner from 22 yards out. The Dons pressed the issue in the closing minutes of the first half, but could not find the go-ahead goal.
"In the first half we played very well, but in the second half we gave up a soft goal," USF head coach Erik Visser said. "I thought we played a lot better. We have a difficult time finishing games off and the second half Portland stepped it up a little bit and they came up with two goals. Although I am very disappointed with the loss, the team gave everything they had. At one point we had six freshmen on the pitch and I am pleased with their progress."
USF and Portland remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the 75th minute when Jared van Shaik scored the game-winner from nine yards. Less than two minutes later, van Shaik got loose again for his fifth tally of the season off a rebound in the box. Thomas Iwasaki assisted on both goals by van Shaik.
Michael Nielson got the Pilots on the board first with his second of the season in the 27th minute on a failed clearance. Portland and San Francisco each fired 13 shots, but UP had eight on frame, compared to just four for the Dons.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brendan Roslund suffered the loss for the Dons and made five saves. Austin Guerrero made three saves in collecting the win for Portland.
USF returns to action Friday, October 22 when it hosts ancient Bay Area rival Santa Clara in a 7:00 PM showdown at Negoesco Stadium. The Dons' 1980 NCAA Champion Soccer Team will be honored in a special pre-match ceremony in the 30th anniversary of a remarkable 23-0-2 season capped by a 4-3 overtime triumph against Indiana in the title game. The Dons and Broncos soccer match is part of the 2010 USF Fall Fest.
