University of San Francisco Athletics

SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons jumped on Nevada early and used a physical defensive performance to pick up the 2-0 win in their season opener on Sunday afternoon at Negoesco Stadium.
 
"We got on top of them early," USF head coach Jim Millinder said. "It's a good start for us."
 
USF (1-0-0) will get a few days of rest before they play San Jose State on Friday as part of a women's and men's soccer double header.
 
Junior Mackenzie Krieser kept the pressure on Nevada goalie Kelsey Quintos for much of the first half and had two golden opportunities to get on the board early but was thwarted on both occasions.
 
But in the 21st minute the junior, who scored nine goals in 2012, final broke through on a header off a cross pass from Abigail Phillips to give the Dons a 1-0 lead.
 
Nevada nearly tied it up in the 28th minute on a shot by Erin Saxton but had her shot go just wide past a diving Madalyn Schiffel. The USF defense limited Nevada's opportunities, only able to get off four shots on goal.
 
"Nevada's a good opponent," Millinder said. "They work awful hard. They're very good in the air, very competitive. All in all in was a great first outing for the girls. A lot of kids played, a lot of kids got match experience and that bodes well for us moving forward."

Twenty Dons saw time on the field against Nevada, including five of the seven freshmen.

One of those freshmen, Lexie Krueger, scored her first collegiate goal within minutes of entering the match. Krueger caught a rebound off the hands of Quinto in the 29th minute in the first half and found the back of the net.
 
USF's season opener was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed due to poor air quality in the Reno region caused by wildfires.
 
With 15 minutes left in the half, junior Halle Bissin has helped off the field after colliding with a Nevada player. She did not return to the match.