Oct. 5, 2008

Final Stats

(Portland, OR) - Junior forward Conor Chinn scored a game-winner in his second consecutive match, lifting San Francisco to a 1-0 shutout at Portland Sunday afternoon in West Coast Conference action at Merlo Field. With the win, the Dons (3-5-1, 2-0-0 WCC) improve to 2-0 in league action at the expense of the Pilots (4-4-2, 1-2-0 WCC).

After posting back-to-back 1-0 decisions on the road at Gonzaga and Portland, USF opens WCC play at 2-0-0 for the first time since going 3-0-0 out of the gate in 2002. The Dons also sweeps the Pacific Northwest road trip for the first time since 2005.

"It was a gritty, blue-collar effort from our guys," USF head coach Erik Visser said. "I was very happy with the team. We put together a solid effort for 90 minutes against a very good team. It was a well deserved win. Everybody battled and everybody contributed to the win. To come here to the Northwest and get two 1-0 shutouts is very encouraging."

Chinn registered his fourth goal of the season and third game-winner of the year in the 70th minute, firing a strike into the upper left corner from six yards off a feed from sophomore forward Jonathan McMullen. Chinn now has 14 career goals, six of them decisive.

Senior goalkeeper Jeremy Coupe (3-3-1) posted his second straight shutout for the Dons and made four saves. Austin Guerrero suffered the loss for the Pilots as USF fired eight shots on goal.

In the first half the two teams combined for just six shots, but the floodgates opened after intermission. The Dons held a modest 10-9 shots lead in the second half and trailed 10-9 for the match. Chinn led the way with a match-high five, while sophomore forward Jeff Penna added three attempts off the bench, two on frame.

San Francisco continues WCC action next weekend when it hosts Bay Area rival Saint Mary's Friday, October 10 in the 2008 league home opener. Match time against the Gaels is set for 7:00 PM at Negoesco Stadium.