Complete Release
VISSER PREVIEWS 2010 OPENING WEEKEND
UP NEXT FOR THE DONS: San Francisco opens the 2010 men's
soccer slate Friday, September 3 when it welcomes Big 10 power No.
9 Northwestern to the Hilltop in the season opener for both teams.
The Dons enter the 64th season of soccer in the modern era on the
Hilltop with a roster laden with talented newcomers mixed with
proven veterans. After taking on the Wildcats Friday under the
lights at Negoesco Stadium, USF will travel across the Bay Bridge
to take on Cal State Fullerton at Saint Mary's Stadium in a Sunday
matinee.
A LOOK AT THE WILDCATS: Picked to finish third in
the challenging Big-10, No. 9 Northwestern posted an 11-5-4 record
en route to the third round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament and return
seven starters and 15 letter-winners. The then-No. 20 Wildcats
posted a 1-0 triumph against San Francisco in Evanston August 29,
2008 in the only previous meeting between the two teams.
A LOOK AT THE TITANS: Cal State Fullerton enters
the season picked to finish fifth in the Big West Conference and
returns eight starters to the field in 2010. The Titans open the
season Friday night against 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Saint
Mary's. The Dons own a commanding 11-3-1 advantage in the all-time
series, but Fullerton took a 4-3 decision in the last meeting
between the two teams September 22, 2002 in the Santa Clara
Invitational.
USF IN SEASON OPENERS: Since 2000, USF owns a
6-4-0 overall record in season openers. USF opened 2009 in
impressive fashion with a 4-1 dismantling of UMKC under the lights
at Negoesco. Before breaking through against the Kangaroos, the
Dons had dropped back-to-back openers - 1-0 losses on the road at
No. 20 Northwestern in 2008 and at home to Vermont to start 2007.
BRYAN BURKE NAMED TO 2010 WCC PRESEASON TEAM:
Senior forward Bryan Burke was
named to the 2010 West Coast Conference Preseason Team for the
second consecutive season. Burke led the team in assists last
season with seven, good for fourth place among WCC leaders and was
second on the Dons in points with 11. A two-time All-WCC Second
Team selection, Burke is the top returning scorer for USF this
season.
