University of South Florida
Pittsburgh
Bulls Down Pitt 2-0 for First BIG EAST Win
September 23, 2010 | Women's Soccer
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TAMPA - An outstanding defensive performance and a pair second half goals from Chelsea Klotz and Taylor Patterson led the University of South Florida women's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh Thursday night at the USF Soccer Stadium their first Big East conference win of the year.
Scoreless through the first 50 minutes of the match and following a number of near misses, USF would finally break through and take the lead six and a half minutes into the second half on Klotz's BIG EAST leading ninth goal of the season. Molly Stack sent in a low cross that was intended for Venicia Reid.
Reid was able to get a touch on the ball and send it straight to Klotz in the middle of the box. She would bury it into the lower right corner for her ninth goal of the season putting the Bulls up 1-0.
With just over a minute remaining the Bulls struck again when Venicia Reid found a wide open Taylor Patterson on the counter attack. Patterson would find the back of the net and seal the 2-0 victory for the Bulls.
The Bulls came out strong and aggressive controlling the tempo throughout the scoreless first half.
Bulls' junior forward Venicia Reid had a great chance about four minutes into the match. Reid took the ball down the left side and rifled a shot from about ten yards away that was saved by Pittsburgh goalkeeper Morie Kephart.
Klotz would get into the action for the Bulls a little later on with a good chance that would also be turned away by Kephart at the 32:33 mark.
The Bulls defense was lights out limiting the Panthers to only two shots on goal and no real quality scoring opportunities in the first half.
Pittsburgh would not give up though as they generated a couple of very good scoring chances in the second half. With twenty-nine minutes remaining Ashley Cuba rattled a shot off the crossbar for the Panthers nearly tying the game at one. Cuba would have another chance with about sixteen minutes remaining but Nicole McClure made a nice diving save for the Bulls.
The best opportunity for the Panthers would come with just over seven minutes remaining in the game. Katelyn Lippert was able to get a good touch on a pass that was sent right in front of goal but McClure made an incredible diving fingertip save to preserve the lead for the Bulls. McClure made five saves on the night for the Bulls.
USF outshot Pittsburgh 15-10 and out cornered them 6-3.
USF will now go on a five game road trip before returning home to face conference foe Louisville on October 15.
