THIS WEEK
San Francisco vs. Florida Gulf Coast
Friday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. | Negoesco Field
Audio/Video Stream: TheW.tv
Live Stats
San Francisco vs. UC Riverside
Sunday, Aug. 21, 1:30 p.m. | Negoesco Field
Audio/Video Stream: TheW.tv
Live Stats
Watch the 2016 Season Preview |
Complete Game Notes [PDF]
The USF women's soccer team kicks off its 2016 campaign on Friday when they host Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. at Negoesco Stadium. The shadows of last year's team loom large as the Dons aim to replicate and improve upon their best season in program history.
To build on last year's program-best 13-4-3 record, fifth-year head coach
Jim Millinder is sure to lean on his trio of senior all-conference stalwarts in midfielders
Jessica Nakae and
Amanda Whittle and defending WCC co-Defender of the Year
Ali Schaffer. Nakae and Schaffer each earned a spot on the preseason All-WCC team.
"I want [opponents] to walk off the field saying, 'That's the hardest working team we've played this year,'" said Millinder. "I want them to love the game, enjoy the game and be hungry to get to the NCAA Tournament this year."
USF, picked to finish fifth in the WCC preseason poll, welcomes an incoming crop of nine freshmen to help replenish the loss of six key seniors. That task will be made more challenging given the Dons' schedule, which features four opponents who finished last year in the top-30 in the RPI rankings (Cal, BYU, Arizona and Santa Clara).
The Dons finished tied for second in the West Coast Conference in 2015 – a program best – and have their sights set on earning their first NCAA Tournament bid in team history.
To cap off opening weekend, USF will host UC Riverside at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at Negoesco Stadium.
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.
