TAMPA, Oct. 18, 2018 – USF extended its home win-streak to 12 straight games when it defeated Houston, 3-2, on Thursday night.
 
A complete team effort powered USF (11-2-0, 6-1-0) to victory over Houston (7-8-2, 3-3-1) with goals from sophomore Sabrina Wagner (Land O' Lakes, Fla.), freshman Sydny Nasello (Land O' Lakes, Fla.) and junior Aubrey Megrath (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and a strong defensive effort.
 
In the 37^th minute, forward Nasello sent a high pass to defender Wagner at the top right corner of the 6-yard box. Wagner was in the perfect position to head in USF's first goal of the match.
 
Houston responded with the equalizer in the 50^th minute, but Nasello countered, scoring an unassisted goal just a minute later.
 
The Cougars pressured, more than doubling their shot count in the second half. Houston's Desiree Bowen picked up a pass and took it into the box where she shot hard left. Goalkeeper Sydney Martinez (Rincon, Ga.). got hands on it, but bobbled and the ball trickled into the left side of the goal. Once again, the match was tied.
 
In the 69^th minute, USF was maintaining possession in its attacking third. The ball was kicked toward the end line by a defender, but Wagner raced to it and was able to send a cross inside the 6-yard box to set Megrath up for a short, quick shot past the Houston keeper for the game-winner.
 
USF had a strong defensive effort with two saves from Martinez. Freshman Mia Palango (Canada) also came in clutch to preserve the Bulls' lead by clearing a ball off the line when Martinez was caught out of goal.
 
Quotable


Key Stat
5 – USF extended its five-game win streak and earned three more points in league play for a total of 18
 
Notable

• USF outshot Houston, 17-7
• The Bulls had seven shots on goal
• The Bulls had two crucial team saves by the defense
• Wagner's goal was her first of the season
• Both Nasello and Wagner finished the night with a goal and an assist
• USF hasn't lost an American Athletic Conference Match at Corbett Stadium since Sept. 2016

 
Up Next
The Bulls welcome SMU on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Mustangs are coming off a 1-0 victory over UCF who was ranked second in The American before Thursday's match.  

About USF Women's Soccer
Be sure to follow USF women's soccer on social media (Twitter / Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. 
 
The USF women's soccer team has posted six consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and eight in the last nine years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014, 2015 and 2017.