TAMPA (Aug. 18, 2017) — The University of South Florida women's soccer team came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Charlotte, 3-2, with game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation, and eventually a golden-goal victory in the 102^nd minute.
 
USF trailed early after quick shots by the 49ers put them ahead 2-0. The American Offensive Player of the Year, Evelyne Viens (L'ancienne-Lorette, Canada), championed the Bulls' comeback scoring in the 55^th minute when she connected on a pass from fellow sophomore Yasmine Hall (Edmonton, Canada). USF built on that momentum dominating possession of the ball in the second half where they tallied 15 shots, more than double their number from the first half.
 
The match came down to the final minute of regulation where freshman Sabrina Wagner (New Port Ritchey, Fla.) scored her first-career goal in green and gold with a pass from defender Brianna Blethen (Riverview, Fla.). Wagner scored a short goal on the left side of the box with only 48 seconds remaining in the half, powering the Bulls to overtime play.  
 
In overtime, the Bulls spent most of their minutes in the box trying to score, posting two shots before freshman Sarah Harrison (Riverview, Fla.) dropped a pass right in front of Viens and she surged through defenders and shot from the middle of the box, driving the winning goal deep in the net.
 
In the first nine minutes of the game, the 49ers would score twice holding their lead through the first half. Sophomore forward Megan Greene (Fuquay-Varina, N.C.) took a pass from senior Martha Thomas (Weston, Fla.) in the third minute, and scored unassisted in the eighth.  
 
 
Quotable
Viens on the comeback victory…
"Last year at Kentucky we were losing, 2-0, so we knew we would be able to do it. We just needed to work hard, it's a new team and so different from last year. I was confident, and I knew we had time. We just needed to work hard."
 
Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown on the comeback…
"My coaching staff was excellent for me. They were in my ear ushering me reminding me that it looked good, we were down but it's ok. It's hard to keep that belief when we are giving these teams a couple goals in the beginning of games. We have addressed that in a couple of ways and that needs to change, but other than the hiccups in the beginning in the game I felt like we were more in control."
 
Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown on the team's performance…
It's a really young team, so to keep their head up and persevere in that instance is always a great sign. It reminds me of the Kentucky game last year, it happened early. It's nice to get that feeling in your team. Now whenever we're down, they will have that belief. I think that's a positive in the long stretch.
 
Key Stat

• USF outshot Charlotte 24-7, and held the 49ers scoreless for 93 minutes following their goals.

 
Notables

• Viens tallied eight shots, five shots on goal and two goals including the game-winner.
• Freshmen Wagner and Harrison were vital parts of two of USF's scoring plays.
• USF worked hard under pressure scoring in the final minute of play to stay alive, and finishing it in double overtime.
• The Bulls have won their season opener for the last 3 years straight.

 
Up Next
USF is back in action Sunday at 1 p.m. as they take on American at Corbett Stadium.