TAMPA, AUG. 15, 2018 – The USF women's soccer team came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Towson in overtime, 2-1, to open the 2018 season.
 
Sophomore midfielder Fanny Pelletier-Laroche (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) scored the game-winner, her first career NCAA goal, with a header she knocked in off a corner from Andrea Hauksdottir (Kopavogur, Iceland) in the 95^th minute.
 
The Tigers took an early lead when their forward, Justine Stoner, dribbled the ball down the left wing and sent it high, just inside the right corner of the goal in the 7^th minute.
 
Trailing by one, USF was hungry for the equalizer. In the first half, the Bulls outshot Towson, 8-1, with two shots on goal before going into a weather delay for just under an hour. When USF returned to the field, junior Aubrey Megrath (West Palm Beach, Fla.) didn't waste any time. In the 48^th minute she picked up a pass from Hauksdottir inside the left side of the penalty box and sent the ball to the center of the goal over the reach of the keeper.    
 
In the 55^th minute the Tigers set up for a free kick and tried to curl the ball in, but freshman goalkeeper Sydney Martinez (Springfield, Ga.) came through with her first career save.
 
Redshirt junior Kellie Burney continues to show leadership for USF's defense at center back. The Bealeton, Va., native had a standout performance in Thursday's match, including blocking a crucial shot after going one-on-one with a Towson forward in the 71^st minute.
 
Key Stat
19-3 – USF posted 19 shots compared to Towson's three
 
Notable

• Andrea Hauksdottir was credited with two assists, one for each goal scored by USF
• Three Bulls had their first NCAA career starts: Sydny Nasello, Sydney Martinez and Mia Palango
• Freshman Sydny Nasello played side-by-side with All-American Evelyne Viens, the pair each posted four shots
• Sydney Martinez earned her first career NCAA win

 
Up Next
USF will travel to Auburn, Ala., for its first road test of the season. The Bulls will take on the Tigers at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Auburn University Soccer Complex.

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.

-#GoBulls-