Abree Dominguez
Contributing Writer

The Dons (2-1-1) looked to improve their 1-0-1 record during a weekend road trip to Oregon to face the Oregon Ducks (1-3-1) and Oregon State Beavers (3-0). USF set out with the intention of proving they are a legit contender.

The Dons faced the Ducks Friday in a closely played match. After just five minutes of play USF bulged the back of the net thanks to an unassisted goal by sophomore midfielder Camille Wilson. Wilson’s goal ended up being the only goal for the Dons and it was enough offense to earn a 1-0 victory. Even though the fifth minute goal was the only offense recorded there was no shortage of chances. In fact by game’s end 20 shots had been taken, 13 by Oregon and 6 of which were on frame. USF nearly found the net again in the ninth minute from a headed shot by sophomore midfielder Sonja Giraud which was ultimately saved by the Oregon keeper Halla Hinriksdottir, who tallied three saves. Though the USF defense showed cracks throughout the game, a stellar showing between the sticks by senior Madalyn Schiffel and her six saves kept the Ducks offense at bay. The shutout win was the first victory San Francisco has had against a Pac-12 team since September of 2004.

Sunday’s game was a heartbreaker as the Dons fell to Oregon State in a 2-1 overtime loss. Oregon State’s Natalie Higgins broke the 1-1 deadlock with 30 seconds left in the first half of overtime. Higgins blasted a 25-yard screamer that squeezed into the upper corner with thirty seconds left of the first and only over time period. In the fourth minute of the game Higgins was also on the delivery end of a Beaver goal by Mariah Roggow to take a 1-0 lead. The Dons scored an equalizer in the 78th minute thanks to a connection between senior forward Rochell Weerackoon and Sonja Giraud. Weerackoon weaved through players before finding Giraud who slotted in her first goal of the season. Though the score finished 2-1 the Beavers had a multitude of chances, 19, but a stingy defense and another memorable six save performance by Schiffel kept the Beavers frustrated.

San Francisco looks to bounce back Friday Sept. 4th at home against the University of Denver. Be sure to catch the action at Negoesco Stadium at 4:30 PM.