University of San Francisco Athletics

Box Score

SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons had few chances at the goal in regulation but a switch in overtime gave them the advantage and it paid off as a Miguel Aguilar goal gave San Francisco the 1-0 victory over San Diego on Friday night.
 
"I'm proud of the guys," San Francisco head coach Erik Visser said. "We got a good shutout, a great goal by Miguel [Aguilar]. Sometimes you don't play pretty or effective and today was a good win for us."
 
Visser added an additional forward to the lineup in overtime and took the risk of lightening is back four, which had played very well for most of the game. The switch worked and in the third minute of overtime, Aguilar drilled a rebound off the hands of San Diego goalie Michael D'Arrigo to the back of the goal for the game-winner.
 
"Basically we said in the next five minutes either USF or San Diego is going to score," Visser said. "We switched the formation a little bit, a little more attacking style in overtime. Our guys showed a lot of character and guts to get the win."
 
The Dons have quickly gotten back into the race for the WCC championship after only getting one point in its first three conference matches. The win moved the Dons into fourth place with 10 points, leapfrogging Saint Mary's and Portland who both lost earlier in the day. The win also has allowed them to keep pace with first place Loyola Marymount who is six points in front of the Dons.
 
"I think we got to bounce back and celebrate for an hour or two and then really get ready for LMU," Visser said.
 
LMU and USF meet on Sunday at 3 p.m.
 
San Diego forward Keegan Smith looked to have a chance to put the Toreros on top for good in the 88th minute when he dribbled the ball through two USF defenders to the middle of the box and took his shot only to have it smothered by Connor Gaal.
 
It was Gaal's fourth straight start in conference games and he recorded six saves and his fourth shutout of the season.
 
San Diego nearly got on the board in the 60th minute when Michael Turner had time but had his shot from just outside of the box go wide of a diving Gaal.
 
San Diego kept the pressure on the Dons and controlled the ball for much of the first half but whenever the Toreros made a move to the goal, either Gaal or Irving Ventura-Rafaela was there to save the day.
 
On a corner kick in the 24th minute, Connor Brandt curved his kick towards the goal but Gaal came out to punch the ball away to clear it for the Dons. He then saved two shots by Brandt later in the half.
 
Next match
Sunday, Nov. 3
Opponent: Loyola Marymount (9-3-2, 5-1-1)
Location: Negoesco Stadium
Time: 3 p.m.
Coverage: USFDons.com/LIVE