University of San Francisco Athletics

Friday's game	Sunday's game
Opponent: Portland (5-3-0, 0-0-0 WCC)	Opponent: Gonzaga (5-2-0, 0-0-0 WCC)
Location: Negoesco Stadium	Location: Negoesco Stadium
Time: 7 p.m.	Time: 1 p.m.
Coverage: Video, Live Stats, Game Notes	Coverage: Video, Live Stats, Game Notes

 
SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons will hit the pitch for the first time in two weeks and begin West Coast Conference play against its two Northwest foes, Gonzaga and Portland, this weekend. USF faced Portland and Gonzaga to kick off conference play last season and split the opening two games.
 
HOME SWEET HOME
San Francisco did not fare well away from Negoesco Stadium, going 0-2-1 in its three-game road trip, so a return home is a welcomed sight. The Dons are 3-1 at home and have outscored their opponents 6-2 in those matches.
 
The Dons scored two goals in three of the four games at home. Danny Kirkland is tied for the team-lead in goals with two and both came in San Francisco.
 
DEFENSE IS KEY
Connor Gaal and Chase Hauser have split the goalkeeping duties this season and that combination has worked out well for the Dons. San Francisco averages 4.71 saves per game (47th in the nation and best in the WCC) and have a save percentage of .846 (25th in the nation, second in the WCC). Hauser has been a bit busier in goal thus far and is 17th in the nation in saves per game with 5.25.
 
DONS PICKED TO FINISH FOUR IN WCC
San Francisco has aspirations of claiming its first WCC title since 2008. The Dons were picked to finish fourth in the conference and received one first place vote. Five teams received first place votes meaning that the race is wide open.
 
ABOUT PORTLAND (5-3-0)
The Pilots have won four of its last five matches and have done it with primarily through its offense. Portland has scored 12 goals during that stretch including a 3-0 shutout of SMU on Sunday.
 
Eddie Sanchez and Jaime Velasco have each scored four goals this season and are No. 1 and 2 in the WCC in points. As a team, the Pilots have outshot their opponents 117-84 but this is not to say they are a one-dimensional team. The Pilots have alternated goalies, much like the Dons, between Jason Dodson and Justin Baarts. Dodson has played in four matches and has not been scored upon. He is 3-0-0 and has collected 17 saves in goal.
 
ABOUT GONZAGA (5-2-0)
The Bulldogs have been one of the stingiest teams in all of college soccer. They have allowed three goals this season and that is in large part due to Ryan Caballero. The Gonzaga goalie was named WCC Player of the Month is September after recording four shutouts and allowing 0.42 goals per game (fifth in the nation).
 
The Bulldogs begin WCC play at Saint Mary's on Friday.
 
BROADCAST
The game can be watched live at USFDons.com/live with Charles Wollin on the call. Live Stats will also be available.