Mitchell Lobetos
Staff Writer

The USF Men’s Soccer team took part in a pair of games against Pac-12 giants Stanford (7-1) and Cal Berkeley (5-1) this past weekend. Unfortunately, both games ended in 1-3 defeats which brought San Francisco’s record to 2-6.

The Dons’ game against the Bears on Sunday was more even than the scoreline reflected. Each team took 13 shots and Cal took eight corners to San Francisco’s six. The big difference was shots on goal; Berkeley fired eight on frame in comparison to USF’s three. The scoring opened up in the 13th minute when midfielder Jose Carrera-Garcia bended a free kick just inside the post. In the 27th and 29th minute USF junior forward David Garrett and junior defender Ludwing Vargas each picked up a yellow card. To finish the first half Berkeley took three corner kicks in the final five minutes but USF held on to the existing 0-1 deficit.

As the second half rolled on the Dons finally found an equalizer thanks to senior midfielder Jesus Del Toro, who finished during a one-on-one with the Berkeley keeper. The tie was short lived as Cal took the lead once more in the 63rd minute. Berkeley forward Christian Thierjung had a first touch finish from a cutting low cross, the first of his brace. Thierjung would score his second goal soon after in the 66th minute. Although freshman goalkeeper Andre Glasnovic allowed three goals, he kept the scoreline down by handling five saves.

Friday’s game against Stanford was also a disappointing 1-3 defeat. Stanford controlled the game nearly the entire 90 minutes as USF just couldn’t break Stanford’s will. The Dons were on their heels for the 20 Cardinal shots, 12 of which were on goal and 12 of which were corner kicks. The Dons still mustered up 11 shots but only two were on frame; they also took three corner kicks. The Cardinals struck first in the 20th minute when a back post cross by Stanford midfielder Ty Thompson found Tomas Hilliard-Arce, who proceeded to spear it in. Hilliard-Arce also later buried his second goal of the game from a corner kick taken by midfielder Corey Baird.

In the 47th minute a headed attempt bounced off the post and straight to David Garrett, who finished the play to pull San Francisco one goal back. However, Stanford’s third goal came from another corner kick delivery by Baird, with forward Jordan Morris being the beneficiary this time around. USF’s hopes to get back into the game were shot when midfielder Davi Ramos earned himself a straight red. Goalkeeper Glasnovic limited Stanford’s attempt to break away in the match by scooping up nine saves.

USF takes on CSU Bakersfield at 6pm here at Negoesco Stadium with hopes of snapping their four-game losing streak.

Photo courtesy of Dons Athletics