THE RUNDOWN
BERKELEY, Calif. – The University of San Francisco men's soccer team advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament following a rain soaked 2-1 come from behind win over Bay Area rivals, Cal, on Thursday afternoon at Edwards Stadium.
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The Dons (10-8) dominated the first half, controlling the possession and outshooting the Golden Bears eight to four, including four shots within the first 12 minutes. Senior Aaron Lombardi almost opened the scoring, breaking down the left wing, getting behind the keeper, but the stingy Golden Bears' defense kept the game level. USF had a few more chances to grab the go ahead goal, but Cal's keeper, Drake Callender, was there to keep the game scoreless.
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Cal (11-7) opened the scoring just seconds in to the second half, when Sam Ebstein beat keeper Ruben Stuiver to put the Bears up, 1-0. USF didn't hang their heads too long as just minutes later, senior forward Bryce Kaminski leveled the game at 1-1 when he fired a shot from 15-yards out. With 11 minutes left in regulation, Sean Bowman scored his fifth game-winning goal of the season, receiving a pass from senior Leon Schwarzer and beating the keeper to make it 2-1, USF.
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This is the Dons seventh straight win, making it nine wins in the last 10Â games. Â
NEXT UP
The Dons will now head to Louisville, Ky. to take on the No. 4 seed Louisville in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.
COACHES QUOTES
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STATS OF THE GAME
- USF have now won nine of their last ten matches.
- The Dons came out firing against the Golden Bears, outshooting them 17 to 10.
- Bowman's goal was his 10th of the season, and his fifth game-winning goal. This put him tied for fifth in the country in game-winning goals.
- Schwarzer's assist puts him at eight total on the season, just one assist behind team leader Lombardi.
- This is USF's first win over the Bears since Sept. 14, 2007, when the Dons defeated the Bears 2-1 at Negoesco Stadium.
- The Dons' win over the Bears on Thursday, snaps a four-game skid in NCAA Tournament play. USF's last advanced in the post season in 1994 when the Dons got past Fresno State on penalty kicks.
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