USF WOMEN’S SOCCER OPENS PRESEASON WITH 4-0 WIN

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Courtesy USF SID Office

USF WOMEN’S SOCCER OPENS PRESEASON WITH 4-0 WIN

FRESHMAN SCORES HAT TRICK IN EXHIBITION

Tampa, Fla. (August 12, 2006) – The USF women’s soccer team opened the 2006 preseason season with a 4-0 win over Saint Leo University Saturday afternoon at the USF Soccer Stadium.

Freshman Jaleesa Scott led the Bulls, finding the back of the net on three of her four shots in the contest.

Scott scored her first of three goals of the game in the 32nd minute, heading a ball that was chipped to the net by fellow freshman Kaneile Thomas. Just five minutes later, Scott scored on a breakaway, following a poorly-handled pass from Saint Leo’s goal keeper. Freshman Rachel Jakubowski scored an unassisted goal in the 37th minute to put the Bulls up 3-0 at the intermission.  

In the 76th minute of the season-opening exhibition game, Scott completed her hat trick off a corner kick from senior Michelle Buskey.

“As anyone who was at the game can see, our speed has definitely improved this year,” said USF Head Coach T. Logan Fleck. “We changed our point of attack through the midfield and we are (individually) more confident to take people on, getting us in a better position to score.”

The Bulls out-shot the Lions 30-2 in the game. USF converted three of their 17 first half shots into goals. The Bulls had 17 shots on goal and allowed Saint Leo just one.

“We want to have the ability to get the ball to the right place at the right time, but much quicker,” continued Fleck. “We need to continue to improve.”

USF travels to Orlando next Friday to play an exhibition game against the University of Central Florida, then returns to Tampa to open the regular season with the USF Tournament. The Bulls host High Point University on Friday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m., then play South Alabama on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. in the final game of the tournament.