SAN FRANCISCO – There was no easing into the season between USF and UC Davis on Sunday evening at Negoesco Stadium as the Dons and Aggies clashed in a physical affair that resulted in 12 cautions between the two sides and the Dons pulling out a 2-1 victory in their home opener.
 
"Sometimes it's not pretty," said head coach Eddie Soto. "Sometimes it's a grind and that's what it was tonight. I'm super proud of this group for grinding out this win."
 
USF (2-1-0) fell behind early when defender Matt Orr accidentally headed the ball past his own keeper for an own goal that gave UC Davis a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. 

After Manny Padilla was fouled in the box in the 21st minute, Davi Ramos converted the ensuing penalty kick for the equalizer.
  The Dons kept most of the pressure on throughout the first half, outshooting UC Davis 5-2.
 
"I felt that in the beginning of the match we had the run of the play," said Soto, "but it started to get away from us a little bit. Our guys didn't break, though; they held on tight and got the second goal."
 
With UC Davis (1-1-1) starting to pick up the offensive momentum late in the second half, Leon Schwarzer delivered a line drive into the box off a free kick that found Joshua Smith streaking in from the right side to redirect the pass into the back of the net for the gamewinner in the 76th minute.
 
"The winning goal just summarized his night," said Soto about Smith. "He was unbelievable in the back line. He won every ball of the night, every aerial battle and for him to get the winning goal just complemented his play tonight."
 
From there the Dons defense had to withhold a flurry of chances for the Aggies, a feat made more difficult by having to play the final 10 minutes a man down after Padilla was issued two yellow cards consecutively and was subsequently ejected.
 
USF keeper Andre Glasnovic turned in a number of game saving stops among his five saves on the night, but none more impressive than when he stabbed a point blank attempt by Miguel Acevado right in front of the goal to preserve the USF lead.
 
Glasnovic later punched away a chance in the 85th minute that was headed consecutively by two Aggies inside the box with a full extension leaping save.
 
USF ended up holding an 11-9 edge in shots overall, however six of UC Davis' nine shots were on frame while the Dons tallied four shots on goal.
 
UP NEXT: The Dons travel to the South for a pair of nonconference matchups this week. USF will face Florida Gulf Coast – who was receiving votes in the NSCAA preseason top-25 – on Thursday at 4 p.m. (PDT), followed by a 10 a.m. (PDT) tilt at South Florida - who is currently receiving votes - on Saturday.