TAMPA - Overcast skies turned to clear blue skies, as the University of South Florida women's soccer team defeated the University of Central Florida, 1-0, in a friendly exhibition at the USF Training Ground.

“It was good to come out here and get a win,” said USF head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. “We had some early jitters. There were some positives and some negatives but coming out here and getting the win will give us confidence moving forward.”

The Bulls took the lead in the opening minutes of the match on an unassisted goal by freshman Chelsea Klotz.

“Chelsea (Klotz) did what we expect her to do,” said Schilte-Brown of the 2008 Florida High School 2A Player of the Year. “It was good to see her come in and have an impact right away.”

The goal would prove to be all USF needed as the Bulls' defense stood tall against the UCF offensive attack.

The Knights, who made the NCAA tournament in 2007, tested junior goalkeeper Mallori Lofton-Malachi. Lofton-Malachi more than answered as she was rock solid in goal for the Bulls, collecting five saves in 60 minutes of play in goal. Freshman Gaby Garton was equally impressive when see relieved Lofton-Malachi, collecting three saves in the final 30 minutes of action.

“Mallori (Lofton-Malachi) was Mallori,” said Schilte-Brown. “She was solid in goal. We need that to be successful. I was impressed with Gaby (Garton) coming in and making some good saves in her first action.”

For the second time in as many years, the Bulls shut out the Knights in exhibition play. Last year at UCF, the Bulls defeated the Knights 3-0.

The Bulls are in action next when they take on the University of North Florida in another exhibition match Aug. 22 at the University of Tampa's Pepin Stadium at 7 p.m.