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Match Nos. 16-17
San Francisco Dons (9-4-2, 2-0-0 WCC) at Loyola Marymount Lions (7-4-5, 1-1-2 WCC)
Friday, November 7, 2014 • 7 p.m.
Saint Mary's Stadium • Moraga, Calif.
All-time record vs. Loyola Marymount: 27-11-2
Last meeting: LMU 1-3 (October 5, 2014)
Live Stream: LMU Sports Network
Live Stats: STATS
 
San Francisco Dons vs. San Diego Toreros (8-4-4, 4-0-0 WCC)
Sunday, November 9, 2014 • 3 p.m.
Negoesco Stadium • San Francisco, Calif.
All-time record vs. San Diego: 18-19-2
Last meeting: USF 2-0 (October 3, 2014)
Live Stream: TheW.tv
Live Stats: STATS
 
SAN FRANCISCO—After picking up a critical win against Saint Mary's over the weekend, the Dons will hit the second round of action against conference opponents when they travel to take on Loyola Marymount and return home for San Diego.
 
San Francisco split the first non-conference meetings with the teams, picking up a 2-0 win at San Diego and dropping a 3-1 contest against LMU. In the loss to LMU, the Dons took 24 shots with 13 on goal.
 
WCC'S RACE FOR THE TOP
San Francisco is in the thick of the race to claim the West Coast Conference championship. They sit three points behind San Diego for first place but have played one fewer game than the Toreros. With two weeks left in the season, no team has been eliminated from contention.
 
EIGHTH IN THE REGION
The Dons have slowly climbed back into the national conversation and are beginning to get noticed in one of the tougher regions in the country. They are ranked eighth in the NSCAA Far West Region for the first time this season with five of the seven teams in front of them being in the most recent Top 25 poll.
 
CLIMBING IN THE RPI
The Dons' win over Saint Mary's did much to improve their status and are on the cusp of at-large status. As of Monday, San Francisco's RPI is at 45, the highest in the West Coast Conference and more than 15 spots higher than the next closet team (San Diego, 62). The top four teams in the conference are all in the RPI top 65.
 
NEAR TOPS IN WCC
A number of Dons are near, if not at, the top of several WCC statistical categories. Chase Hauser is second in the WCC with a 1.03 GAA and is fourth with a .754 save percentage (at least 10 games played). Danny Kirkland is tied for second in the conference with five goals and two behind league leader Tristan Blackmon (Pacific). David Romney is tied for fourth in the conference with four assists, one behind the leaders Michael Semenza (Saint Mary's), Sebastian De Rada (Loyola Marymount) and Carlos Delgadillo (Santa Clara).
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons looked like they were going to get out of Moraga with a 1-0 shutout victory over Saint Mary's but the Gaels scored the equalizer in the 89th minute, looking to push the match to overtime. But Jonathan Fabulich streaked to the box and was tripped up, forcing a penalty kick. Danny Kirkland scored on the PK with 34 second left and gave the Dons a 2-1 win.
 
INTRODUCING AARON LOMBARDI
After missing much of the first portion of the season due to injury, freshman Aaron Lombardi started both matches two weekends ago and made his presence felt. He nearly scored on Friday against Portland with two shots, including one on goal, and finally broke through on Sunday by scoring twice, including the game-winner in double overtime, to give the Dons a 2-1 win over Gonzaga.
 
TAKING DOWN THE TOP 25
The Dons have posted wins over No. 21 Wisconsin to open the season and beat No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night. The two wins over Top 25 teams marks the first time the program has accomplished the feat since 2011 when they beat No. 18 Santa Clara and No. 25 Portland in consecutive matches.
 
GROUNDING THE EAGLES
The Dons welcomed in No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast for the team's home opener on Friday night and controlled much of the match, wearing the Eagles down. Following an FGCU red card, the Dons finally scored on a 72nd minute penalty kick by Danny Kirkland to give them a 1-0 lead. It was his second game-winner of the season and gave the Dons their second win over a Top 25 team.
 
TAMING THE BADGERS
The Dons got a first half goal from newcomer Davi Ramos and another goal from Danny Kirkland to take a 2-0 lead against No. 21 Wisconsin. The Badgers scored in the 81st minute but that is as close as they would get. It was the first time since 2007 the Dons had defeated a ranked opponent (2-1 vs. No. 11 California) and is the first time since 2008 they had beaten a Big Ten opponent.
 
SUMMER WITH MLS SQUADS
Miguel Aguilar was among a group of Dons who participated with various MLS developmental teams this summer. Aguilar spent the summer with the Portland Timbers developmental academy and played in eight games, recording a goal and an assist. Danny Kirkland and Joshua Smith were with the San Jose Earthquakes academy and gained valuable experience to bring back to the Dons this season.