THIS WEEKEND:
San Diego (5-8-3, 2-3-0) at San Francisco (6-8-0, 2-3-0)
Sunday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m. | Negoesco Stadium
Audio/Video: TheW.tv
LIVE STATS | WATCH ON THEW.TV
Complete Game Notes [PDF]
The USF men's soccer team will still have one more game on their schedule before the 2016 season officially comes to a close, but Sunday's matchup with San Diego will be the last glimpse of game action at Negoesco Stadium for the Dons' seven seniors. Four years on the Hilltop will seem like a flash when the Dons and Toreros kickoff at 4 p.m., but USF's seniors will set their sights on making their last game count.
The Dons enter the weekend at 6-8-0 overall and 2-3-0 in West Coast Conference play and are looking to rebound from a pair of road losses at Saint Mary's and Pacific this past weekend. Meanwhile, San Diego (5-8-3, 2-3-0) will come to Negoesco Stadium in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Neither team is in line for a postseason berth, but as the twilight of the season and their careers looms on the horizon, USF's seniors hope to add a few more memories to the bank before it's all said and done.
"I'm going to miss hanging out with the guys. Team bonding moments like sophomore skits, the hard trainings we did in the spring," said forward
David Garrett, who leads the team with seven goals this season.
"All the hard work we did, especially throughout last spring, is something I'm going to look back on in five or ten years and truly appreciate," said goalkeeper
Ryan Buckingham.
Before they leave, this senior class will depart knowing that they helped lay the foundation in their own way, especially with program-defining wins like their 2-1 upset over No. 12 Stanford earlier this year that they hope help showcase the direction the program is going.
"I think the win over Stanford this season was pretty remarkable," said defender
Joshua Smith. "I think that's something I'm going to remember my entire life."
"It was the best atmosphere I've played in," said forward
Davi Ramos. "What I'll miss is being around the team. My roommates and the team; I'm around them 24/7 – brothers for life."
A common sentiment among this year's class is the team building that occurred on and off the field over the last four years and will hopefully be capped off on a positive note come Sunday.
"What sums it up for me is all the hard work we've put in," said defender
Christian De Luna. "I think personally for me I've grown a lot over these last four years. I've learned a lot, I've become very mature. I think we set a good standard for guys to come."
"What I'm going to miss most are the trips out of state. There was a lot of team bonding throughout those trips," said midfielder
Ludwing Vargas.
The Dons will close out the regular season on the road at Loyola Marymount next Saturday. With wins in their final two contests, USF has a chance to post a winning record in WCC play for the third straight season.
Regardless of the records or their place in the standings, De Luna helps put things in perspective heading into the final home contest: "I think something that's really beautiful about this team and this school is that a lot of us are going to stay friends for a long, long time."
Adult single-game tickets are available to see the Dons on the newly renovated pitch at Negoesco Stadium for just $10. Seniors and recent alumni who have graduated from USF within the past 10 years can acquire seats for $5 per seat. Back by popular demand, USF faculty, staff and students and youth 12 and under enter Negoesco Stadium free all fall. Fans wishing to secure a season ticket can do so at an affordable price of $40 per fall sport.
Returning for the 2016-17 season, fans can acquire an All-Sports Pass, which includes general admission access to over 90 USF sporting events throughout the athletic calendar spanning not only the men's and women's soccer and volleyball seasons but also men's and women's basketball and baseball in the spring at the brand new Benedetti Diamond.
Single-game and season ticket options are available online, or patrons can call the ticket office at 415.422.2USF (2873) for questions or to secure your All-Sports Pass today.
