Shots off post make difference in Dons loss

Friday, September 19

Denver, Colo.

6 p.m.

University of San Francisco

4-3-2

Denver

4-4-1

Team	1	2	Final F
San Francisco	0	0	0
Denver	0	1	1

Photo by: David Bush

9/19/2014 8:47:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

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DENVER—A matter of inches was the difference between a win and a loss when the Dons had one shot off the crossbar and another off the post, which led to a 1-0 loss to Denver on Friday night.

"It kind of shows me that we are capable of so much more," San Francisco head coach Jim Millinder said. "We did a much better job in the second half. I told the girls that is the best effort they put forward in my three years here.

"They gave themselves a good chance to win the ball just didn't go in for us."

The Dons nearly got on the board within the first 10 minutes of action when in the ninth minute Jessica Nakae split two midfielders off the dribble and shot from about 30 yards out only to have her shot hit off the crossbar, which allowed Denver time to clear the ball.

Denver got a chance in the final minute of the half but Madalyn Schiffel knocked away the header of Brooke Booth. The Pioneers controlled the ball much of the first half but the Dons were able to weather the storm going into the break.

"They moved some people around in the first half," Millinder said. "It's hard to make an adjustment midstream."

Denver had a near chance to end the half and cashed in just after the break. In the 47th minute, Anna Willis took the pass from the left and her kick went off of Schiffel and into the goal to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.

San Francisco had a chance to respond only minutes later when in the 50th minute Alex Alugas broke away from her defender and had her shot hit off the inside of the post, roll along the goal line before it was recovered by Denver.

In the 57th minute, Sonja Giraud's shot was saved by Denver goalkeeper Cassidy Rey.

"We pressed them the second half. We made one mistake and it cost us," Millinder said. "The effort in the second half was unbelievable. Unfortunately tonight we just didn't get the goal."

The Dons will return to action on Sunday against Colorado at 12 p.m.