Bulls Tie Pitt, Await Possible Tourney Seed

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

Bulls Tie Pitt, Await Possible Tourney Seed

                                                                                                 

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The University of South Florida women's soccer team held Pittsburgh scoreless through 110 minutes Sunday afternoon to earn a 0-0 tie, and one point toward their quest to play in the BIG EAST Championship.

The Bulls now await results from other conference games, which control the fate of USF's chance to play in the tournament. 

Both teams came out attacking Sunday in Pennsylvania, as each team took four shots in the first period. In the second stanza Pitt outshot USF, but the Bulls took two more attempts than the Panthers in the first overtime. 

Against Pittsburgh, sophomore goalkeeper Mallori Lofton-Malachi made seven saves, the second-highest in a game this season. On Oct. 19, at Cincinnati, she stopped eight Bearcat shots.

"Mallori [Lofton-Malachi] played outstanding," said Coach Denise Schilte-Brown. "Today was probably her best game of the season. She showed tremendous leadership for the team."

Senior Autumn Browning attempted four shots in the final regular season game of the year, while sophomore Nina Jokuschies took two shots, both on goal. Junior Lindsay Brauer and freshman Camilla Aseng each had shots on goal as well. 

If the Bulls qualify for postseason, the first round of the BIG EAST tournament will be held Nov. 1 at campus sites, as the fifth seed will play at the home of the fourth seed. Tournament quarterfinals will be held at campus sites on Sunday, Nov. 4. The final four teams will play the remainder of the championship in Morgantown, W.Va. Nov. 9 and 11. Semifinals will be at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, and the finals at **** Dlesk Stadium are at noon Eastern Sunday.

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

Bulls Earn No. 5 Seed, Play At Villanova

TAMPA, Fla. – Today first-year head coach Denise Schilte-Brown and the University of South Florida women's soccer team earned the school's first berth into the BIG EAST Women's Soccer Championship since joining the league three years ago. 

"We are very excited to make school history today," said Schilte-Brown. "The ladies' goal going into today's game at Pitt was to make the BIG EAST tournament, and we did that."

The Bulls secured the fifth seed in the American Division following a 0-0 tie with Pitt Sunday afternoon in Pennsylvania. 

"We are excited to give back to the school and be a part of the pride that has been going on this fall season," Schilte-Brown continued. "Everyone has been happy with how the football, soccer and volleyball teams have been doing, so it is nice to contribute from our side as well."

USF will play Villanova, the fourth seed in the National Division, on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. in Pennsylvania. The Bulls tied the Wildcats earlier this season (Oct. 7) in Tampa, a 0-0 in double-overtime battle. 

"As for drawing Villanova, I know Mallori [Lofton-Malachi] is really excited to get back to Philadelphia, to her roots," said Schilte-Brown. "She said we'll definitely have fans at the game."

The last time the Bulls appeared in a league tournament was in 2003, when USF was still in Conference USA. The Bulls were 0-1 in the tournament four times between 1999-2003. USF's last postseason win was in 1998, when USF beat Tulane 4-0, then lost to Marquette 2-1 to end the season. The Bulls were 9-0-2 in C-USA that season, and 15-1-3 overall, earning the regular season conference championship. 

Following the first round of the single-elimination tournament, BIG EAST Championship quarterfinals will be held at campus sites on Sunday, Nov. 4. The final four teams will play the remainder of the championship in Morgantown, W.Va. Nov. 9 and 11. Semifinals will be at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, and the finals at **** Dlesk Stadium are at noon Eastern Sunday, Nov. 11.