USF Athletics

Talent-Packed Bulls Host Towson in Season Opener Thursday Night

August 15, 2018

MATCHUP: USF vs. Towson
DATE: Thursday, Aug. 16
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Tampa // Corbett Stadium
WATCH: https://bit.ly/2w2tWBE
TWITTER UPDATES: @USFWSoc
TICKETS: USFBullsTix.com
 GAME NOTES
 
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, AUG. 15, 2018 – USF women's soccer achieved greatness in 2017 by capturing the American Athletic Conference tournament crown and making it to the second round of the NCAA tournament for just the second time in program history.

Turn the page to 2018 and head coach Denise Schilte-Brown's Bulls are fully focused on moving forward during a season that will test the program early and often. It all starts 7 p.m. Thursday with a season-opening test against Towson at Corbett Stadium.

"You want to start with a clean slate. You want every girl on the team to know nothing they did before matters now. Only what is in front of you matters," Schilte-Brown said. "It's hard work to get to where you are, and your opponent is going to be ready for you."

After outscoring opponents, 36-21, during the 13-4-2 finish in 2017, USF is hungry to find the back of the net often again and these Bulls definitely have the firepower.

American Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and MAC Hermann Trophy candidate Evelyne Viens (Quebec, Canada) is one of nine returning starters. Viens scored 12 goals in 2017 and she'll be going after defenses again with juniors Andrea Hauksdottir (Iceland) and Aubrey Megrath (West Palm Beach, Fla.), who combined for 10 goals last season.

Freshman forward/midfielder Sydny Nasello (Land O' Lakes, Fla.), one of 10 newcomers, opened eyes in USF's first preseason game by scoring a pair of goals against Stetson.

"I think that most years you have a few players with explosiveness that can really stretch teams. I think this year we have more than a few, that gives us great opportunities," Schilte-Brown said. "We have a lot of diversity, a lot of different options. If anything, we have a problem about which one is going to play and which one isn't. That's the best problem a coach can ask for."

Schilte-Brown also feels good about the defense that will be anchored by junior Kelli Burney (Bealeton, Va.), who helped the Bulls post eight shutouts last season. Burney is one of 20 total returners on this season's USF squad that was picked second in The American coaches' preseason poll.

"We have a real seasoned center back with Burney. She's just been real comfortable and we're lucky she's comfortable playing with an assortment of different players," Schilte-Brown said. "Her leadership and comfortability with that gives us a stable feeling back there. We have a real athletic base."

USF will be well-prepared for Towson after getting three preseason exhibition tests for the first time in Schilte-Brown's 22-year head coaching career. After Stetson, the Bulls played to a 0-0 draw at No. 5 South Carolina and hosted Washington.

"It not only gave us time to look at our full squad, but it gave us some experimental opportunities that we haven't had in the past," Schilte-Brown said. "I feel good about the group."

After hosting Towson, USF will battle in its first road test at Auburn. The Tigers are receiving votes in the coaches' poll after an 8-7-5 season that ended at the feet of the eventual NCAA National Champions, Stanford, in the second round of the NCAA tournament. 

Bulls Bits

• CAMPER REUNION TICKET OFFER: USF women's soccer summer camp participants can purchase discounted tickets to USF-Towson for only $3. The thank you offer is extended to camp attendees' family and friends. Purchase tickets in advance HERE.
• GET TO KNOW TOWSON: Towson returns 21 student-athletes from the 2017 team that went 5-11-3. Thursday will be the Towson debut for new head coach Katherine Vettori, who previously posted a 56-49-18 record in six seasons with Loyola University Maryland.
• BUSY WEEK FOR BULLS: After hosting Washington on Monday, USF will take on Towson on Thursday and then head to Alabama for a 2 p.m. test against Auburn on Sunday.

 
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.