FULLERTON, Calif. -- Playing on the road for the second time this week, the USF Dons women's soccer team (5-1-3) were aggressive throughout as they pulled out a dramatic 2-1 road victory over Cal State Fullerton (3-3-3) to remain unbeaten away from Negoesco Stadium during the 2022 season. 

USF got the match started on a high note on a goal from Marissa Vasquez in the first minute of play, and then got the knockout blow late in the second half on a Jamesen Ward goal off a penalty kick in the 85th minute as the Dons walked away with the road sweep in Southern California. USF's offense was on point from the opening kick as they recorded a season-high 31 shots against the Titans with 13 of them being shots on goal. At the season's midway point the Dons remain unbeaten in eight of their first nine matches and have yet to be defeated on the road this season.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• The Dons wasted little time to get on the board in Fullerton as Vasquez was able to find the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season less than a minute into the match as USF's offense was clicking early.
• USF's offense was on point throughout the first half as they recorded 18 total shots and eight shots on goal as they carried the 1-0 lead into halftime.
• Fullerton was able to even the match early into the second half of play as they scored the game tying goal at the 50 minute mark of play. 
• The Dons and Titans were tied for the majority of the second half with many USF shots being just off target before they got a breakthrough. Ward stepped up and nailed a crucial penalty kick in the 85^th minute as USF was able to make it stand to secure the 2-1 win.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Vasquez got the scoring started early with her sixth goal of the season as she currently ranks among the conference leaders in goals.
• Ward found the back of the net for the first time this season as she beat the keeper late in the match while also leading the way for the Dons with six total shots on Saturday night.
• In goal, Megan Nail continued her tremendous first season as the primary keeper for the Dons as she recorded four saves in the victory.
• Freshmen starters Lindsey Chau and Alex Carpio each had big games as well in the Dons' offense as Chau was able to record five total shots and Carpio delivered four shots of her own playing in the middle of the field.

CATCHING UP WITH COACH MILLINDER:
"I thought the team battled out and kept at it to find a way to win tonight. I thought we were outstanding in the first half but struggled to finish our chances. Fullerton's goalkeeper was amazing tonight and kept turning us away. We came out in the second half a little slow to start but kept at it and finally broke through when Lindsey Chau got brought down in the penalty box late in the second half and Jamesen Ward converted it. I'm very proud of the team's effort tonight! We had so many players step up tonight when we had a few injuries. Samantha Reyes came in tonight and did an outstanding job in the defense. An overall great team effort tonight."

CATCHING UP WITH COACH NIJJAR:
"We were obviously so happy with the start tonight, but after the goal Fullerton responded really well and we struggled to really get and sense of rhythm. Disappointed with the chances that we didn't put away in the first half and we knew Fullerton would come out with energy in the second half. We responded well to their equalizer and for us that is a huge win away from home against a well-coached, organized team who battled right until the end."

UP NEXT:
The Dons continue their three-match road swing as they will travel to the South Bay for their final non-conference match of the season to face the Santa Clara Broncos (2-5) Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. USF secured the highlight of their season last year when they knocked off then #19 and reigning national champion Santa Clara at Negoesco Stadium. Live streaming, statistics and other match information can be found on the team's schedule page.

For updates and more information on the USF women's soccer program, be sure to follow @USFDonsWSoccer on Twitter, @USFDonsWSoccer on Instagram and @USFDonsWSOC on Facebook.