By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA – The fifth-seeded Bulls used an all-around team effort to defeat fourth-seeded UConn, 4-1, in Sunday's American Athletic Conference quarterfinals in Storrs, Conn.

Sharla Passariello posted two goals and an assist to help USF advance to Friday's semifinal against top-seeded UCF in Orlando. Jackie Simpson and Olivia Chance spotted the Bulls a 2-0 lead by halftime before USF (10-4-5) extended its unbeaten streak to five matches.

“It was a really confident, well-together performance. The whole team really jelled and everyone played really well,” head coach Denise Schilte-Brown said.

Sophomore keeper Christiane Endler grabbed eight saves while USF remained steady on defense despite being outshot by a 21-13 margin.

“There was no fear because it was so safe back there,” Schilte-Brown said.

Simpson's first goal of the season came in the 11^th minute off an assist from senior Marsha Harper. Chance gave the Bulls a 2-0 lead in the 40^th minute when the sophomore took a pass from Passariello and scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season.

UConn (11-9) cut its deficit in half with Rachel Hill's 13^th goal of the season in the 57^th minute before Passariello gave the Bulls some breathing room. The senior gave the Bulls a 3-1 lead in the 63^rd minute and put the game away with her eighth goal of the season in the 81^st minute.

“It was a full game of a really, really strong performance,” said Schilte-Brown of Passariello. “The goals are one thing, but keeping possession and keeping the ball on the other half of the field takes a lot of physical sacrifice. She had that for the whole game and that was really big.”

A total team effort helped USF defeat UConn for the second time this season after the Bulls started the series with a 3-2 double-overtime win Oct. 6 in Tampa.

USF will look to even its season series with No. 13/14 UCF when the teams face off Friday at 5 p.m. in Orlando. The Knights extended their school-record unbeaten streak to 16 matches with a 3-0 win over eighth-seeded SMU on Sunday.