San Francisco Soccer Beats No. 25 Portland 2-1 in Double Overtime

Mauricio Diaz De Leon’s Penalty Kick in 104th Minute Gives Dons Third Straight Victory

 

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October 2, 2011

(San Francisco) – San Francisco soccer posted a thrilling shorthanded 2-1 double overtime victory against No. 25 Portland Sunday afternoon at Negoesco Stadium. The Dons (4-4-1, 2-0-0 WCC) wins their third consecutive match and open league play at 2-0-0 for the first time since 2008 at the expense of the Pilots (5-4-1, 0-2-0 WCC).

Sophomore midfielder Mauricio Diaz De Leon scored the game-winner on a penalty kick in the 104th minute, sending a bullet to the left post for his team-leading fourth goal of the season. The Dons have now won back-to-back matches in overtime after downing Gonzaga Friday night in the first overtime period and have played bonus soccer in three of their last four contests.

USF held a narrow 16-15 shots edge, 8-4 after the intermission. Sophomore midfielder Vegard Karlsen and Diaz De Leon shared the team lead with three shots apiece. Portland’s Ryan Kawulok fired a match-high five, three on target.

Junior midfielder Vinny Caloiaro got the Dons on the scoreboard first in the 19th minute. Off a goal kick from junior goalkeeper Brendan Roslund, Caloiaro took a feed to a breakaway from sophomore forward Tanner Smith and beat the keeper to the far post from five yards. It was the first goal of the season for Caloiaro and the second assist of the year for Roslund.

Portland wasted no time answering as Kawulok provided the equalizer in the 26th minute, heading a headed cross from Derek Boggs home to the far post.

It was a hard-fought contest with 38 fouls called. Nine cautions were also issued in the contest, five for Portland. The Dons played a man down from the 87th minute on after Giijs Niehe picked up his second yellow. USF earned a road draw at Stanford after playing a man down from the 75th minute and two men down for the final 90 seconds of the second overtime session.

Roslund once again stepped up big for the Dons, collecting seven saves – three coming in the first overtime session. Justin Baarts (5-4-1) suffered the loss and made five saves.

San Francisco returns to action when it travels to the South Bay to take on ancient Bay Area rival Santa Clara Wednesday, October 5. Match time is set for 7:00 PM at Buck Shaw Stadium. It will be the third match in six days for both teams.

NOTES: The last time USF opened WCC play at 2-0-0 was in 2008… the Dons won at Gonzaga (1-0) and at Portland (1-0) – both on goals by All-American Conor Chinn… Roslund is tied for second on the team in assists (2)… San Francisco has equaled its win tally from 2010… Dons are 4-1-1 in last six matches.