Box Score SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Brady Jimison's first career goal couldn't have come at a better time.
The Dons' junior forward struck gold three minutes into the first overtime period to give San Francisco a dramatic 2-1 victory over Saint Mary's on Friday night.
Jimison's left-footed strike from the top of the box snuck past Gaels' (5-3-3, 1-2-1 WCC) goalkeeper Andre Rawls and gave USF (4-3-2, 2-1-0 WCC) a thrilling victory in their WCC home opener. The victory was especially momentous for the Dons as 12th-year Head Coach Erik Visser earned his 100th career win at USF.
“Any WCC win in overtime at home is huge because it gives us three points,” Visser said. “Our guys showed a lot of grit especially after being up 1-0 and giving up a soft goal to tie it. We showed a lot of perseverance and there was no way that our guys would allow Saint Mary's to walk away with a result.”
When asked about the milestone win, Visser was surprised. “I didn't realize that it was my 100th win. It's such a privilege to be the head coach at this University and to day in and day out work with a great bunch of kids. I think ideally I'd like to do this a little bit faster.”
With just four minutes remaining in the first half, Mauricio Diaz de Leon put the Dons in front with a gorgeous free kick from 20 yards out that barely tucked inside the upper left corner of the goal post. The junior midfielder's fourth goal of the season, was also the third consecutive goal for the Dons, as the junior scored both of USF's goals against Gonzaga in a 2-1 win on Sept. 29.
Saint Mary's countered just one minute later with a long throw in that found the head of defender Trevor Newquist. Newquist's third goal of the season tied the match at 1-1 heading into the half.
The Dons had a host of opportunities in the first half, with one of their best chances coming on another free kick from Diaz de Leon, which found the head of Josh Smith at the five-yard line. Smith's header was on target, but Rawls was up for the challenge.
The Gaels controlled the majority of possession in a heated second half, but neither side was able to find the back of the net. Tariq Adam led the Gaels with four shots, three of which were on goal.
With both sides beleaguered after a grueling 90 minutes, Diaz de Leon sent a crisp cross to the top of the box that found Jimison at just the right moment. The San Carlos, Calif. native's goal sent the Negoesco Stadium faithful into a frenzy and put a smile on the face of his head coach.
“I really think the program is going the right direction and I hope the next 100 wins go a little bit faster,” Visser said.
NOTES: Now in his fifth decade associated with the USF soccer program, Visser was a top defender on two NCAA champion soccer teams on the Hilltop in 1978 and 1980. After graduating in 1982, he joined legendary Head Coach Steve Negoesco's coaching staff. When USF started its women's soccer program in 1985, Visser was tabbed as the program's first head coach and guided the women through the 1990 season.
Visser began his tenure as head coach of the USF men's soccer on the Hilltop in 2001, leading USF to a 7-10-1 record in his first season. Just three years later, Visser would lead San Francisco to its first West Coast Conference Championship in 10 years, as the Dons put together an impressive 14-5-1 record in 2004. The Dons made it back-to-back WCC Championships by winning the conference in 2005 with an 11-6-4 record. The Dons won yet another WCC Championship in 2008, giving Visser three titles in just eight years at the helm of the program. Visser has also won WCC Coach of the Year honors three times.
