Dons Send Seniors out Winners at Negoesco Stadium in WCC Play
(San Francisco) – USF men's soccer broke through for a 2-0 shutout triumph against Gonzaga on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for West Coast Conference action at Negoesco Stadium. The Dons (3-10-3, 1-6-2 WCC) break through for their first league win of the season and defeat the Bulldogs (4-11-0, 1-7-0 WCC) for the first time at home since the 2006 campaign.
Prior to the match the Dons honored its six-member class of 2010 – Bryan Burke, Victor Cortez, Rafai Eddy, Carson Hedrick, Jeff Penna and Justin Warren. Five started against Gonzaga in their collegiate curtain calls on the Hilltop and all contributed.
Sophomore Samir Najmeh broke through for his first collegiate goal in the 25th minute off a sensational cross from Burke from a sharp angle across the mouth of the goal. Najmeh pounded it to the far post from five yards to give the Dons a margin they would not surrender.
Burke made it a three-point day when he connected on his first scoring strike of the season in the 87th minute heading home a corner kick from freshman midfielder Mauricio Diaz De Leon. The two-time All-WCC selection doubled his season point tally.
"It's a little bittersweet," USF head coach Erik Visser said. "We have a great group of seniors. On Friday against Portland, they showed what they're capable of and it was nice to see the team continue where they left off against the Pilots with a good shutout performance against Gonzaga. I think they played very well. It was a beautiful day at Negoesco Stadium and in many ways we realize its been a disappointing season, but the team is adamant about finishing up the season on a good note."
San Francisco controlled the play for most of the match and held a 17-7 shot advantage, 6-1 in shots on frame. Najmeh led with a career-high five shots, four on target and was very active up top for the Dons. Sophomore midfielder Vinny Caloiaro, Eddy and freshman midfielder Vegard Karlsen added a pair of shots apiece for the Dons.
Sophomore Brendan Roslund collected his second shutout of the season and first since a 1-0 blanking of No. 9 Northwestern in the 2010 season opener. Roslund made one save. Ryan Caballero made four saves for the Bulldogs in suffering the loss.
USF returns to action when it travels across the Bay Bridge to take on Bay Area rival Saint Mary's in a midweek contest Wednesday, November 3. Match time against the Gaels is set for 3:00 PM at Saint Mary's Stadium.
