USF WOMEN'S SOCCER: Bulls Clip the Owls in Double Overtime, 1-0

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Courtesy USF

USF WOMEN'S SOCCER: Bulls Clip the Owls in Double Overtime, 1-0

TAMPA - The University of South Florida women’s soccer team combined another strong defensive effort with a golden goal by freshman Alejandra Santos’ to post a 1-0 double overtime victory over Florida Atlantic on Sunday afternoon at USF Soccer Stadium.

“We are really excited to get the win,” said Bulls head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. “I really feel things are starting to come to together. We are getting better each game and seem to be peaking at the right time .”

Santos’ ended the contest in the 108th minute, when she took a Gina Pacheo crosser from the left wing and headed it to the back of the net.

“I am really happy for Alejandra,” added Schilte-Brown. “She has worked hard and stayed positive. It is great to see her get her first career goal today.”

Offensively, USF was aggressive and applied constant pressure on the Owls goalkeeper from the opening kick. The Bulls registered four shots on goal and attempted nine total shots in the first half alone.

Defensively, the Bulls did not allow a shot in the opening half thanks to fast, forceful defense that stifled the FAU attack.

Late in regulation, freshman Courtney Flanagan was inches away from ending it for the Bulls when her left-footed shot was barely deflected out of play by the Owls net minder.

Senior Mallori Lofton-Malachi would tally two saves, all in the second overtime, on her way to her third shutout of the season.

The Bulls outshot the Owls by a final margin of 19-4 and have out shot six of their eight opponents on the season.

The Bulls improve to 4-2-2 (0-1-0) on the season and 2-2-2 in overtime games. The game marked the fourth consecutive overtime match for the Bulls.

The Owls fall to 1-5-0 on the season.

The game is the last non-conference game of the season,  USF will travel to Storrs, Connecticut for a clash with the Connecticut Huskies on Thursday Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. for their first BIG EAST road match of the season.  The Bulls, 0-1 in BIG EAST play, will return to USF Stadium and host Providence on Sunday, Sept. 28 for an 11 a.m. Eastern kickoff.  The game is part of a doubleheader with the men’s soccer team, which hosts West Virginia at 1 p.m.

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