RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside returned to action on Sunday evening hosting San Francisco, falling to the Dons 5-2 at the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Dons pulled ahead early with two quick goals in the match's opening 20 minutes. 
• Cassia Souza made her second penalty save of the year in as many attempts in the 34th minute. Lexie Yela followed it up with a blocked shot in the 36th. 
• Braelynn Llamoca pulled one back for the Highlanders, converting from the spot in the 67th minute. Daphane Mendez erased the deficit no more than three minutes later with the equalizer, one of her career-high four shots on the evening. 
• The momentum was short lived as USF reclaimed the lead in the 70th minute, capping a wild sequence of three goals in three minutes. 

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

• Niella Sessoms made her Highlander debut on the back line, logging 45 minutes after being named to the starting XI. 
• Mendez's equalizer was the second straight year that UC Riverside has erased a two-goal deficit, doing so last season in a 2-2 draw at Long Beach State. Sunday was the first time it'd been done at home since 2012. 
• Emma Gonzalez continued her streak of playing every minute this season, going the full 90 against the Dons. 

UP NEXT

• UC Riverside will host its non-conference finale on Friday, September 15 when the Highlanders host a return contest with Portland State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+ from the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium, and tickets are available now at highlanderstickets.universitytickets.com.