COMPLETE RELEASE
THIS WEEK FOR THE DONS: San Francisco kicks off
the 2010 West Coast Conference campaign with a three-game homestand
beginning Friday, October 1 when it welcomes Loyola Marymount to
the Hilltop. The Dons then tackle defending WCC champion San Diego
in a Sunday matinee at Negoesco Stadium. When USF tangles with the
Lions it opens a tough stretch with four WCC matches in an
eight-day span.
A LOOK AT THE LIONS: Loyola Marymount opens the
2010 season against USF for the second consecutive season Friday
night. A 2009 NCAA Tournament participant, the Lions posted a 4-3-1
non-conference slate and return a veteran laden team into league
play. Hermann Trophy candidate Rafael Baca has a goal and a
team-leading five assists, while Artur Jozkowicz has registered a
team-high four scoring strikes. The Lions own a 12-9 goals
advantage.
TORERO TOPICS: The defending West Coast
Conference champions, San Diego sits at .500 with a 3-3-1
non-conference slate. The Toreros have out-scored their 2010
opponents 12-8 and Marcelo Carminatti has a team-high three goals,
while Dan Delgado adds a pair of goals and a team-high three
assists. Goalkeeper Michael D'Arrigo has posted three shutouts on
the year. USD opens WCC play at Santa Clara on Friday.
DONS FIND THE BACK OF THE NET: After suffering
three straight shutouts, USF returned to the offensive last week,
scoring a total of three goals in two matches. In the first five
contests of 2010, San Francisco managed just two goals. The Dons
have put themselves in a position to score goals and on the season
have attempted 83 shots, compared to 95 for opponents. USF turned
in its first multi-goal match of the season in a thrilling 2-1
double overtime win against Cal State Northridge (9/24). Freshman
forward Tanner Smith scored his team-leading second goal of the year, while
sophomore striker Oscar Englund
added his first.
USF IN WEST COAST CONFERENCE OPENERS: San
Francisco opens West Coast Conference play Friday night against
Loyola Marymount. The Dons own an overall record of 12-10 in league
lid-lifters dating to the start of round robin conference play in
1988 with a gaudy 9-3 mark at Negoesco Stadium; 4-7 on the road.
USF has struggled out of the WCC gate since 2000, posting just a
3-7 record, but took a 1-0 road decision at Gonzaga to open the
2008 campaign in the first opening decision a 4-0 win against Saint
Mary's in 2002.
UP NEXT FOR THE DONS: San Francisco continues
West Coast Conference play against ancient Bay Area rivals Saint
Mary's and Santa Clara. The Dons host the Gaels, a 2010 NCAA
Tournament participant Wednesday, October 6 and then travel to Buck
Shaw Stadium Friday night to take on the Broncos.
