GAINESVILLE, Fla. ? University of South Florida sophomore goalkeeper Mallori Lofton-Malachi made five saves in the Bulls' 4-0 loss to No. 14 Florida Friday night at James G. Pressly Stadium. The native of Philadelphia now has eight saves in two games for USF.
The Bulls' record falls to 0-1-1 and the Gators improve to 2-1-0.
"It is always a great experience to play a high nationally ranked team," said Coach Denise Schilte-Brown. "We are going to grow from this game because it will help us prepare for the BIG EAST and the games we need to win later in the season."
The Gators took an early lead, scoring in the second minute of the game, but the Bulls were able to hold off Florida for the rest of the half as Lofton-Malachi made two saves. In the second period, Florida attacked the net, taking eight total shots. Lofton-Malachi and the Bull defense stopped three attempts by the Gators, but allowed three others into the back of the net.
Offensively, senior Ashley Quaid and junior Lindsay Brauer each took one shot in the game; Brauer's was the only shot on goal.
"Melanie Sutherland continued to be steady in the back for us," said Schilte-Brown. "Lindsay (Brauer) and Angelique (Waller) were both consistent with their play and continue having an impact on the game."
Four USF players registered their first appearance for the Bulls this season, including Quaid (Tampa, Fla.), Lisa Bjorkvik (Nacka, Sweden), Nina Jokuschies (Aukurg, Germany) and Therese Dahlberg Erikkson (Stockholm, Sweden).
"In the first half we had good defensive shape and the ladies were very disciplined," continued Schilte-Brown. "We came out a little more risky in the second half, pushing players forward and trying to get a higher starting point."
On Sunday the Bulls will face the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens at 1p.m. The Bulldogs are unbeaten after a two-win showing at the Nike Invitational Challenge and a victory over Charlotte on Thursday.
Georgia is coming off of its second-straight winning season, posting a 10-9 record, including a 7-3 mark at home. The Bulldogs ended the 2006 season after being knocked out of the SEC Tournament, in the first round, by Florida. Carrie Patterson, a SoccerBuzz Freshman All-American in 2006, led the Bulldogs in 2006 with 12 goals and seven assists in 19 games.
The Bulls continue their seven-game road series next weekend by playing at Miami on Sept. 14 and at Florida Atlantic (Boca Raton) Sept. 16.
USF's home opener is September 28 when the Bulls face off against the preseason No. 17 Connecticut Huskies at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for that game are $5 for adults, $3 for youth 16-and-under and $2 for groups of 10 or more and are available on www.GoUSFBulls.com or by calling 1-800-GoBulls. Season tickets are also available.
