| Team |
1 |
2 |
OT |
2OT |
Final |
| UConn |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| USF |
0 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
 |
| USF |
G |
A |
Shots |
| Jackie Simpson |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| UConn |
G |
A |
Shots |
| Stephanie Ribeiro |
0 |
0 |
5 |
 |
| UConn |
Min. |
GA |
Saves |
| Emily Armstrong |
90:00 |
1 |
5 |
| USF |
Min. |
GA |
Saves |
| Kat Elliott |
90:00 |
0 |
9 |
| |
|
|
|
|
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, SEPT. 24, 2015 – No. 24 USF women's soccer made a huge statement in its conference opener with a 1-0 victory over No. 20 UConn on Thursday night at Corbett Stadium.
Senior Jackie Simpson delivered the only goal USF needed in the 79th minute and the Bulls held off a late charge by a UConn team that was selected as the preseason favorite to win the American Athletic Conference. The Huskies (8-2-0, 0-1-0 American) came in averaging nearly two goals per game and were shut out for just the second time this season.
“I actually think it's the best UConn team we've played in four years. They're very good, very dangerous,” head coach Denise Schilte-Brown said. “I just think we are riding a really high wave right now. The girls are playing really well.”
USF (8-1-1, 1-0-0 American) got an outstanding performance from sophomore keeper Kat Elliott, who registered a career-high eight saves in her sixth shutout of the season. Strong play from the back line also helped the Bulls avenge a penalty kick shootout loss to the Huskies in The American championship game last season at Corbett Stadium.
“After last year, how they kind of took away what was supposed to be ours, we all came out here and we started sloppy,” Elliott said. “Towards the end, we pulled it together and we got the win we should have had last year.”
USF and UConn headed into 13th meeting of the series each giving up less than a goal per game and the teams showcased their lockdown defenses in Thursday's scoreless first half.
UConn started with a 10-9 shot advantage with Huskies keeper Emily Armstrong making a pair of saves. Elliott racked up six saves and made two diving stops before a 43-minute lightning delay puts things on pause.
“The reset was important for whatever reason. I thought we came out looking to perform, show our skills, but not our effort,” Schilte-Brown said. “We regrouped in the locker room and I love this team. They were ready to come out and be a different team, and that's the team we've seen this season.”
Play resumed with 15:03 remaining in the opening half and USF nearly took a lead in the 37th minute. Carlotta Fennefoss provided a precise crossing pass in traffic near the box and Brittany Raymond's close-range shot rattled off the side post.
USF applied the pressure again late in the second half and Cristina Ferral's shot went just over the crossbar with about 15 minutes left in regulation. The Bulls came right back at UConn with a sequence that resulted in Simpson's second goal of the season.
Alexis Rossi sent a long pass into UConn territory that eventually went off the back foot of Grace Adams. Simpson was at the right place at the right time and knew exactly what to do.
“I saw the goalie was coming and I saw the back was open, so I just hit it with my left foot and it went in,” said Simpson, who normally shoots with her right foot. “I've been working on it a lot.”
After a stellar non-conference season, USF is equipped with even more confidence heading into Sunday's 1 p.m. home game against Temple. Purchase tickets at USFBullsTix.com.
“To come out and beat a team that's ranked higher than we are, I think that's a huge step for us,” Elliott said. “It's setting a tone for where we want to go forward with our season. We want to be a championship team.”
Bulls Celebrate 50th Anniversary
USF-UConn was part of USF Athletics' 50th anniversary celebration and a very special Bull was in attendance. Carmen Malouf, who was a member of USF's first team in 1995, was on the field for the ceremonial first kick.
